What we’re about
THE CLUB www.nvhc.com
The Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC) offers a range of hikes of various difficulty levels in Virginia, Maryland, DC, and beyond. The club also offers other outdoor events occasionally. NVHC members reflect the rich diversity of the Washington DC Metro area. Annual membership fee is $5. Guests are welcome and enjoy a month’s free participation in the club events. NVHC is a nonprofit organization and donates funds to local parks and trail maintenance organizations from time to time. The selection of the parks and organizations is based on club usage - it is our way of giving back. Monies vary each time - $7,200 were donated in 2023.
Members are required to accept the liability disclaimer by typing “Accept” in the fields presented when they join the club.
DIFFICULTY RATINGS
NVHC hikes are assigned difficulty ratings. A combination of linear distance and elevation gain is used to determine the rating, with 400 feet of elevation gain considered to be equivalent of 1 mile of linear distance. With the “miles” derived from elevation gain added to the linear distance, following are the ratings:
A+= Very Difficult (19 miles or more)
A = Difficult (13 miles or more, but less than 19 miles)
B = Moderately Difficult (10 miles or more, but less than 13 miles)
C = Moderate (7 miles or more, but less than 10 miles)
D = Easy (Less than 7 miles)
For example, a nine-mile hike with 1,000 feet of climbing would be rated B (9 + 2.5 = 11.5).
Elevation loss is not measured in this system. Also, the difficulty rating is separate from the pace of the hike, which is determined by the leader, and is usually specified in the individual hike descriptions.
RSVP ETIQUETTE
Often there are limits on the number of participants on NVHC events, set by our leaders. This creates wait lists on Meetup. If you find yourself in this situation, we request that you keep in mind the interest of the leaders and your fellow hikers, and follow the guidelines below:
- If you RSVP’d “yes” for a hike, change your RSVP to “no” as soon as you decide not to go, so that someone else can go.
- If you RSVP’d “yes” to overlapping events on the same day, decide on one as soon as possible, and change your RSVP to “no” for all others.
- If you are on a wait list and decide not to go, remove yourself from the list.
DOGS ON HIKES
Dogs are welcome on NVHC hikes at the discretion of the hike leader. Several restrictions apply including advance notification to the leader, dogs being well behaved, and their being kept on a six foot leash. See dog policy located at [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy] for details.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Gambrill with Mountain Laurels (Rating: A)Centreville Park & Ride, Centreville, VA
You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
Come join me on this lovely 9.3 mile hike in Gambrill State Park, Frederick, MD that starts at 9:00 a.m. Last year, the mountain laurels were blooming at this time, so fingers crossed! We will get to enjoy two beautiful overlooks and climb our way up and down through 1,742 feet of elevation, including two sustained climbs in the second half of the hike.
We will hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5 miles per hour and stop at all intersections. We will also have a lunch break in a shady location on a small rock formation about six miles in.
There are restroom facilities at the trailhead. Please note, if you arrive before 8:00 a.m. the gates to the parking lot may not be open, so you may need to wait. The park fee is $3 for Maryland residents, $5 for out-of-state. There is no attendant, so please bring cash. The pay station is a small box next to the stop sign as you enter the parking lot.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy. If you plan to bring a dog on this hike, please contact me about the dog’s prior hiking experience with NVHC.
Carpools: Meet at Centreville Park and Ride at 7:15. Suggested carpool fee is $5.00 per rider. The hike leader will not be at the carpool location and will meet the group at the trailhead. GPS coordinates for Centreville Park and Ride: 38.836080, -77.455327.
https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18Trailhead: Meet at Gambrill State Park at 8:45 in the upper parking lot: Go past the first entrance with the Gambrill State Park sign and continue to the top of Gambrill Park Road to the High Knob Scenic Area and take a left. GPS coordinates: 39.4629, -77.4953.
https://goo.gl/maps/urVT88VRqi8rgRby9Leader: Becky Reickel 301-471-3641
Park Fee: Maryland residents $3/vehicle; out-of-state residents $5/vehicle
Rating: A
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-at-gambrill-yellow-black-red-a1c3ae6?p=-1&sh=zg5qvz
- Meneka Peak Loop (Rating: A)Centreville Park & Ride, Centreville, VA
You must read the following https:nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
This is an 8.1 mile loop with 1,800 ft elevation gain in George Washington National Forest. The first 2.5 miles are uphill and challenging but then we hike the ridge and work our way back down to the Signal Knob parking lot. The first half is pretty rocky so hiking sticks are recommended. We'll hike at a 2.0 to 2.5 mph. Hiking map: https://cdn-assets.alltrails.com/pdf/v2/meneka-peak-loop-636df2a5.pdf
Lader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Park Entry Fee: $0
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 08:00 am. Suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader will not be at the carpool location.
If you are meeting at the trailhead go to the Signal Knob Parking lot in George Washington National Park. GPS coordinates: 38.935290, -78.320090
We will start hiking at 09:00 AM.
Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
- Urban Hike: Boston (Rating: B, Fun)BWI Amtrak Station, BWI Airport, MD
*** New Trial Process - No More Signing In ***
Step 1: Read the Liability Disclaimer: https://www.nvhc.com/signin.pdf
Step 2: When prompted, type "I Accept" followed by your
A: Full name
B: Contact number and
C: Emergency contact number
Example: "I accept. Jane Doe, (703)555-5555, (301)666-6666."
This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.Length: 10-12 mi. Elevation gain: None. Pace: 2.5 to 3.0 mi/hr.
REQUIRES EXTERNAL RESERVATIONS (SEE BELOW)
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY. This is a complex itinerary. Message the leader or post a comment if you have questions.
SATURDAY
We will take an early train on Saturday from the DC area, reaching Botson by 3 p.m. We will do an urban walk Saturday evening (details to be determined; suggestions welcome; one option is Cambridge, MA). Dinner will be part of the evening walk.OVERNIGHT
Everyone makes their own arrangements.Leader plans to stay at Hyatt Central Faneuil Hall, reasonably close (15 minutes' walk) to the Amtrak station (Boston South).
Options include:
(a) Stay at the same hotel or a nearby hotel
(b) Stay somewhere else accessible by Uber/Lyft or Boston's excellent public transport system or
(c) Some other plan
You are welcome to use the leader's hotel to leave your stuff on Saturday and/or Sunday to make the logistics work best for you.SUNDAY
Starting at 8 a.m. at Boston Common, we will do the famous, historic Freedom Trail that takes in many of Boston's famous landmarks. A quick visit to the battleship USS Constitution is planned during the walk. Expect to walk about 7 or 8 miles. We will stop for lunch prior to boarding the 3 p.m. train back to the DC area.AMTRAK RESERVATIONS
Please reserve as below. Sooner you book, better the rates. Consider spending an extra few dollars for a flexible ticket (cancel, re-book).To Boston South (BOS): Amtrak 162, departing Union Station at about 6 am Saturday, May 31
From Boston: Amtrak 165, departing Boston at about 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1
- Rapidan Camp/Camp Hoover (Rating: A) Option for BGainesville Park and Ride, Virginia, VA
You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
This hike is about 11.5 miles with an elevation gain of about 1725 ft.
There will be an option for a B level hike at 7.6 miles and 1400 ft elevation gain.
Description:
A very nice hike in Shenandoah National Park, to the iconic Camp Rapidan, or better known as Camp Hoover, President Hoover's summer mountain retreat.We will hike starting at the Byrd Visitor parking area and connect on the Appalachian Trail (AT) to the summit of Hazeltop Mtn, (600 ft elevation over 4 miles). We will depart the AT to Laurel Prong trail and descend to Camp Rapidan. We will stop for lunch at Camp Hoover with some time to look over the Camp. We will then begin our return on Mill Prong trail and back to Milam Gap and return on the AT back to the parking lot at Byrd Visitor Center.
For those interested in the B level hike, plan to meet us at the Milam Gap parking lot at about 10:30 am and join us at that point. Milam Gap is at mile marker 52.6 , GPS 38.49985, -78.44556.
You should be in good physical condition to deal with the mileage and elevation gain. If you haven't hiked with me before, I may contact you to discuss this hike. If you have any questions about this, please contact me.
Hiking Pace: The pace will be about 2.5 mph, slower on the uphill. Hiking time with lunch, about 5 hours.
Hiking Upward hike details for Camp Hoover:
https://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/CampHoover/
We will be hiking counter clockwise to this routeBring:
Adequate water/hydration (at least 2-3 liters), snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes for some of the rocky areas, tree roots, and potential wet areas. Hiking poles are helpful if you usually hike with them. There are several stream crossings, which are usually easily crossed. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen.Park Entrance Fee:
$30 entrance fee for Shenandoah National Park unless you have a National Park pass or a Shenandoah annual park pass. Military and Veterans are eligible for a military pass, just show your military/retired/veterans ID.Dogs:
Are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please ensure your dog is up to the distance and elevation gain.CARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, meet at University Blvd - Gainesville Park and Ride and plan to leave at 7:45-8am to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 9am.
A new Sheetz has opened in the Park & Ride, this would be a good meeting point. New Stable Way, directly across from the Sheetz store.
GPS 38.801119, -77.589532Suggested carpool fee is $8. The hike leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to Byrd Visitor is about 1 hour 45 minutes. Carpoolers should plan to leave the Park & Ride by 7:30am. The hike leader may leave the Park & Ride earlier than 7:30am.
**NOTE: The hike starts at the Byrd Visitor Center at 9:30am
The hike times listed above include starting from and returning to Gainesville Park & Ride.Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
If you are driving directly to the Byrd Visitor Center, please be there a few minutes before 9:30am so we can get everyone signed in. Byrd Visitor Center is at mile marker 51 on Skyline Drive , GPS 38.51795, -78.43678.
Optional post-hike rehydration at Big Meadows Lodge
If you haven't hiked with me before, please provide you full name, cell phone number, and emergency contact number. You can provide the info to me on Meetup message or text me at the number below.
Any questions? Message me on Meetup messenger or text me, 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
