About us
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 was 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
18
Elizabeth Furnace to Strasburg Reservoir (Rating: A)
Elizabeth Furnace, Fort Valley Road (Route 678), Fort Valley, va, USYou 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.
Join us for a hike starting at Elizabeth Furnace and following the Tuscarora Tr over Green Mountain and looping around Strasburg reservoir before retracing out steps back to the cars. Lunch will be at the reservoir.
Need to Know Information:
*Hike Starts: 9:00 AM (Please arrive a 8:45AM to sign in)
*Distance: 11.2 miles
*Elevation gain: 2,300 feet elevation gain
*Pace: Moderate Pace of 2.0-2.5 mph when moving.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
*TRAILHEAD Location: 38.927862, -78.329459 https://maps.app.goo.gl/NpwkXiwRrW2JzsNw9 Elizabeth Furnace recreation area rear parking lot
*Park Entrance Fee N/A
*CARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, feel free to use the comment section to organize.
*AllTrails map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/elizabeth-furnace-to-strasburg-reservoir-60ad838Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
*Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leaders: Becky M. 703-229-9699 and David C. 571-643-389720 attendees
Cabin John Stream Valley Trail (Rate: C)
Cabin John Local Park, 7401 MacArthur Blvd, Cabin John, MD, USYou 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.
8.0 mile out and back hike along the Cabin John Stream Valley Trail with an approximate 400 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
The Cabin John Stream Valley trail is a well-maintained trail, largely in wooded areas with some hills and short sections of sidewalk. This trail is located near major highways but still offers an unexpected sense of solitude and natural beauty.Hike Pace: Pace will be about 2.5 mph while moving.
Bring: Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, insect repellant, sturdy hiking shoes and poles if you use them since there are rocky areas/tree roots. There are a few small stream crossings.
Fee: None
Dogs: dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Where to Meet:
We will meet in the small parking lot at 7401 Macarthur Boulevard, Cabin John, MDCoordinates: 38.973310, -77.150590
I have a gray Honda Fit. The hatchback will be up. Consider carpooling if possible as the parking lot is limited.
Contact Info: Any questions, please message me here or text me at 703 533 9231 Dawn K.
25 attendees
Bull Run Occoquan Trail Bull Run Marina-Coe Creek (Rating: B)
Bull Run Marina, 12619 Old Yates Ford Rd, Clifton, VA, USYou 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.
7.8 mile out and back lariat hike with 970 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 Bull Run Marina heading east toward Coe Creek area. There are rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a nice workout!NOTE: Make sure you are physically able for the distance and elevation gain.
Hiking Pace:
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.There should be a porta-potty at the trailhead marina parking lot across the street from our trailhead, but you may want to schedule a pit stop on the way before you arrive.
We will stop for snack/lunch break about halfway through.
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. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen. Most of the hike is in the forest canopy.Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am.
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 parking lot on the left side of Yates Ford Rd, (coming from Clifton), across from the road going down to the Marina. If you come to the Marina road or the bridge, you've gone too far. NOTE: We park in the large parking lot across the road from the marina parking.
GPS coordinates 38.74399, -77.38327Optional 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.
40 attendees
State Arboretum of Virginia Tour (Rating: D)
Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA, USYou 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 will be a ~5 mile walk and tour with very little elevation gain by a guide, Ariel, who is part of the State Arboretum of Virginia, Blandy Experimental Farm. Since it is a tour, there will be some stopping and listening so not our usual hiking. We should finish by noon. There are picnic tables at the end of the tour where you can eat you lunch.
They do request a donation of $8/person to be paid by cash or check (payable to the Foundation of the State Arboretum of Virginia), and can be placed in the donations receptacle at the information kiosk in the front parking lot.
Dogs are not permitted on this hike.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920(C)
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:15am. Carpools will depart of 7:30 a.m. today Suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371. https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time to trailhead from carpool location: 50 minutes.If you are going to the trailhead, meet in the front parking lot at Blandy at 8:30am. Tour starts at 8:45a.m To get to the front parking lot, use Blandy's main entrance on Route 50, and follow the curvy paved entrance road until you see the flagpole and information kiosk adjacent to the parking lot.
GPS coordinates: 39.064304, -78.064143 https://goo.gl/maps/kSoYwx3z5NvKJYTq8Neither 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.
Suggester donation Fee: $8/person.
Rating: D
AllTrails Map for hike (guide may vary route): https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/blandly-experimental-farm-b597460?u=i
43 attendees
Past events
4801
