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- Strasburg Reservoir (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.
A 11 mile circuit hike with elevation gain 2400 feet in the Massanutten Mountains near Strasburg, VA in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests . We will take the Massanutten, Meneka Peak and Tuscarora trails to the Strasburg Reservoir where we will have lunch. Sweeping views from overlooks. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 8:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836057, -77.455318 https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time to trail head from the carpool location: 60 minutesMeet at the trailhead parking by 9:15am. GPS Coordinates: 38.934638, -78.320086 https://goo.gl/maps/UvptRb36AagSqrnU8
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.
AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-march-8-2024-a4666cd?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
- Dickey Ridge to Visitors Center/Return (Rating: B)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 8 mile out and back hike to the Dickey Ridge Visitors center with approximately 1,200 feet of elevation gain.
We are hiking from outside the Shenandoah National Park into the park to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and then back out. We are NOT meeting at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.Speed: Our pace will vary from 2.0 to 2.5. The trail is well maintained with some short rocky areas.
Leader: Gail Markulin (703) 402-5902 (C)
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Trailhead Parking: Parking is on the side of the road by the trailhead and before the Front Royal Entrance Station. If you have gone to the park entrance, you have gone too far. The Dickey Ridge trailhead is right by the parking area. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dickey+Ridge+Trailhead/@38.9062115,-78.19661,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89b5c5e0b5d9c4f1:0xee10b295aebb171d!8m2!3d38.9062115!4d-78.19661!16s%2Fg%2F1tfj411p?entry=ttuMeet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 9am.
Carpool Location: For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy in Centreville.
GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:50 AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 8:00AM. The leader will be at the Park & Ride.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 they participate at their own risk.
Suggested carpool fee is $6.00.
Entry Fee: None
Map for hike: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ofxLeFFmHZ90xZKEleK_S6YaTbLx4OzO/view
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.Terrain: Well maintained trail with some rocky areas.
Recommended Equipment: Insect repellant, Hiking boots or shoes, snack/lunch, 2 liters water, hiking poles if you use them
- Trillium Trail – Manassas Gap Shelter (Rating: C)University Boulevard - Gainesville Park & Ride, Gainesville, 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.
The purpose of this short hike is to view the Trillium flowers and the other spring flowers that are now blooming. The hike is 5.5 miles with an elevation gain of 950 feet and includes the Trillium Trail (a loop) and an out and back to the Manassas Gap Shelter.
There is a very small stream crossing. I plan to hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph when moving.
The Trillium Trail loop supposedly contains “one of the most outstanding trillium displays in Virginia and perhaps in the eastern United States.” Although there are no guarantees, you should see lots of trillium, mayapple, wild geranium, yellow and purple violets, and other wildflowers along the trail.
Hike route: We will take the Trico Tower Trail down to the AT, take the AT south to the Manassas Gap Shelter, have a snack break, and then return by taking take the AT north past the Trico Tower Trail junction to the Trico fire road and back up to the Trillium Trail Trailhead.
Carpools: Meet at the University BLVD Park and Ride at GPS coordinates: 38.798678, -77.585926 no later than 7:15 AM.
The leader will be at the carpool location but 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.
Please note that the carpool entrance is off University Blvd; it is not off Route 29.
NOTE: I have a light colored (“silver”) Subaru Outback and I park at the far end of the lot away from the commuter parking and I will plan to leave the lot at 7:15 AM.
Driving Time to trail head. It is about a 36 mile / 40-minute drive from the University BLVD lot to the hike starting point at the trillium trail trailhead at 5050 Freezeland Road (GPS Coordinates: 38.953658, -78.027136). I strongly suggest relying on the GPS coordinates instead of the address.
Those meeting at the trillium trail trailhead should plan to be there no later than 8:15 AM. The trailhead parking lot is very small so please try to make best use of the available space.
Dogs are permitted in accordance with the NVHC pet policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Fees
- Attendees do not have to pay any fees.
- Suggested carpool fee is $5.00.
Leader: Jim Hollis (703-927-7189.. use text)
- Mount Marshall via the Appalachian Trail (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 a 9 mile out and back hike along the Appalachian Trail with a 1,700 foot elevation gain in the Shenandoa National Park. We'll go out about 4.5 miles to a neat viewpoint, have lunch/snack, and then return the way we came.
Speed: Our pace will vary from 2.5 to 3.0 mph. The trail is well maintained and not very rocky.
GPS Coordinates for trailhead: 38.80719, -78.18102
Entry to Shenandoa National Park costs $30.00 per car unless you have a park pass.
Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centerville P&R. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive at the Park and Ride a few minutes before 7:30 AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 7:30 AM.
Hike leader will not be at the carpool location.
Please arrive at the trailhead before 9:00 AM so we can get everyone signed in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00 AM.
Suggested carpool fee is $7.
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 they participate at their own risk.