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- Bull Run Occoquan Trail - Kincheloe Soccer Park to Hemlock Overlook (Rating: C)Kincheloe Soccer Park, Clifton, 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.
7.5 mile out and back lariat hike with 720 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a scenic hike along Bull Run and in the adjoining forest. We will hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from the Kincheloe Soccer Park to Hemlock Overlook Park and back, taking in a couple of sights at Hemlock. There are rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a nice workout!The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There may or may not be a porta-potty at the trailhead parking lot so you may want to schedule a pit stop on the way before you arrive. No restroom at Hemlock Park.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them.Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am.
We will take a snack/lunch break at Hemlock Park.Fee: There is no parking fee.
Dogs are welcome.
NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyBull Run Occoquan Trail:
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-occoquan-trailMeeting Place Instructions:
We are meeting at the large gravel parking lot at Kincheloe Soccer Park 8000 Kincheloe Rd., Clifton, VA.
GPS: 38.754039, -77.390466Optional post-hike rehydration in Clifton.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
- Big Devils Stairs (Rating: A)Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 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.
Hike Overview: This is an approximately 10-mile hike with an elevation gain of about 2,200 feet from the boundary of the northern section of the Shenandoah National Park to a deep gorge. The hike starts from a small parking area along Rt 625 in Washington, VA (where parking is limited) and makes a steep climb up the Mount Marshall Trail to the Bluff Trail, which we descend to the overlook on the Big Devils Stairs Trail where we will eat lunch. After lunch, we will retrace our steps back to the cars.
Leader: Randy Wood 703 275-8334 (C)
Rating: A
Pace: Average pace 2.75 mph; faster on flat or downhill, slower on uphill
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park & Ride at 7:15am so all cars can depart by 7:30. Suggested carpool fee is $6. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dw3isoCM89L1KxZe9
Driving time from carpool location to trailhead: 65-70 minutesTrailhead: Meet at the Mount Marshall Trailhead at 8:45am. GPS Coordinates: 38.7478506,-78.1940236
https://goo.gl/maps/753g5eJebaxYAwMYANeither 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.
Park Entry Fee: $0.
Pets: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with NVHC's dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
Map for hike: Big Devils Stairs on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/mount-marshall-loop-via-appalachian-trail-2b7b82a?u=i&sh=rr7xq6You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
- Algonkian Park Nature Sanctuary (Rating: C)Volcano Island Waterpark, Sterling, 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 is about an 8 mile hike with ~100 feet of elevation gain in Algonkian Regional Park. We'll start on the Potomac Heritage Trail (PHT) and hike downstream on the PHT to the Algonkian Nature Sanctuary where we'll make a loop and then return to the start point. The Algonkian Regional Park Nature Sanctuary consists of 30+ acres of wetlands on Lowe's Island adjacent to the Potomac River. The wetlands are a unique part of the Potomac that supports a variety of flora and fauna including Bald Eagles.
There will be some hiking along the Potomac River, the golf course and recreation areas. We will start on the PHT near the parking lot at Volcano Island Waterpark in Algonkian Regional Park (GPS coordinates: 39.061784, -77.386796). Some of the hike is on trails, pavement and gravel road. We hike at a pace of 2.5 to 3.0 mph while moving.
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/algonkian-wildlife-sanctuary-steve-frith-41e7637?u=i&sh=iypgzx
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-january-31-2024-e5ae7b1?u=i&sh=iypgzx - Little Devil Stairs Long Version (Rating: A+)Centreville Park and 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.
This is an A+ hike due to distance and elevation. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE POST BEFORE RSVPING.
PLEASE NOTE: **** This is a VERY difficult hike and is only suitable for those who have recent experience hiking this distance and elevation gain. If I don’t know you, you MUST message me with 24 hours of signing up with a recent A+ hike you have done or a hike leader who can vouch for you. Otherwise, you will be moved to “Not Going”. ***
************* THE GOOD STUFF **************************
Join me on this beautiful and strenuous A+ hike of approximately 13.5ish miles and almost 3,000 feet of elevation. This is a longer version of the typical Little Devil Stairs Hike. We will start the hike from parking lot near the west end of Virginia Rte. 614 (Keyser Run Road). We will then go up Little Devil Stairs, make a right at the 4-way at the top, then cross Skyline Drive and get on the AT, where we'll be for a while. Then we’ll cross Skyline Drive again and then get on the Piney Branch Trail to the Hull School Trail, past the cemetery and back to our cars.
NOTE: There are multiple water crossings going up Little Devil Stairs (about 15) and they can be tricky if there is a lot of rain during the week. Please be prepared and bring boot covers or water shoes and hiking poles to help with balance.
*For those wishing to CARPOOL, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA. The driving time from there to the trailhead is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes (with no stop). Please arrive at the Park and Ride before 6:30 AM to form carpools so all cars can leave at 6:30 AM sharp. I WILL BE MEETING EVERYONE AT THE TRAILHEAD.
PLEASE NOTE: 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 participation is at your own risk. Suggested carpool fee: $7.00 per rider.
- Meet at the trailhead @ 7:45 am. We will start hiking at 8:00 am SHARP.
- TH Parking Coordinates: 38.73060,-78.25823
- Park entry fee: $0
- Carpool Fee: $7
- Distance: 13.5ish miles
- Elevation: Almost 3,000 feet
- Pace: 2.25 – 2.75 when moving. We will take short breaks at intersections and a regular lunch break.
- Terrain: Rocky, steep climb up Little Devil Stairs then another climb while on the AT and then a last climb late in the hike heading up to the cemetery. There are a lot of water crossings.
- Dogs are not allowed on this one
Bring: Adequate water, food/snacks, hat, basic first aid kit, map, tick spray, rain gear (depending), hiking poles, hiking shoes, water shoes or boot covers, additional pair of socks/liner in case your socks get wet
PLEASE PRINT OUT ANY MAPS YOU MAY NEED AS I DO NOT PROVIDE COPIES OF MAPS. ALL THE LINKS AND COORDINATES YOU WILL NEED ARE PROVIDED ABOVE.
All Trails MAP: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/little-devil-stairs-13-5-f19c44d
AND FINALLY!
- Don't come if you’re not feeling well.
- Avoid the most severe, unspeakable bad karma by CHANGING YOUR RSVP if you're not able to attend within a reasonable time - not hours before.
- No complaining allowed :-)
For questions, message or call the hike leader:
Susan M. (703) 963-8939
