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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.
Предстоящие события
22
Ashby Gap to Rod Hollow Shelter via the Appalachian Trail (Rating: B)
Gainesville Park and Ride - University Blvd, 7250 New Stable Wy, Gainesville, 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 is an 8 mile out and back hike with about 1,300 feet in elevation gain. We'll start at the Appalachian Trail Access Parking area off of Blue Ridge Mountain Rd /Rte 601. We'll head north on the AT, go down to Myron Glaser Cabin, rejoin the AT and go to Rod Hollow Shelter. After lunch we'll return the way we came.
Start time: 9:00 a.m. (meet at the trailhead parking area 15-30 minutes early for sign in)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles/hour when moving
Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/ashby-gap-to-rod-hollow-shelter-via-appalachian-trail-1bcef5d
Trailhead: Appalachian Trail Access Parking (GPS coordinates 39.01709, -77.96224)
NOTE: entrance to the parking at the trailhead is a steep downturn so if your car does not have much clearance you should car pool. Parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged.
CARPOOLING: Meet at University Blvd - Gainesville Park and Ride and plan to leave at 7:45 to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 9am. The hike leader will not be at the carpool location. Park & Ride GPS 38.80063, -77.58771
Neither the Club nor the hike leader is 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: $5.00 per rider. Driving time from Gainesville Park & Ride to the trailhead is about 50 minutes.
Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Dogs: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. Please contact the hike leader in advance if you intend to bring a dog. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
20 участников
Waterfront Wonders: a Scenic Promenade (Rating: C)
Columbia Island Marina, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Arlington, 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.
9.5 mile loop hike with 223 feet elevation gain
Description:
Starting at Columbia Island Marina (Lady Byrd Johnson Park, GW Parkway, Arlington, VA;
GPS Coordinates: 38°52'30.7"N 77°02'56.2"WWe will proceed along the Mount Vernon Trail towards Theodore Roosevelt Island where we will walk around the Swamp trail, the island's main trail.
From there we will cross the Key Bridge and climb
the Exorcist Steps before heading down to the river.Our next destination will be Georgetown Waterfront park where we will stop for lunch while enjoying a scenic view of the Potomac river.
After lunch we will walk along the river past the Lincoln Memorial to the 14th Street bridge and finish back at Columbia Island Marina.
Pace: 2.5 to 2.75 mph while moving
You must be able to hike this distance at this pace to successfully complete the outingWhat to bring: : Adequate hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes.
Restrooms are available both at the Columbia Island Marina and on Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Dogs: are not welcome on this hike. NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather : weather for this location can be found HERE.
Where to meet: we will meet in the parking lot of the Columbia Island Marina, Lady Byrd Johnson Park, GW Parkway, Arlington, VA.
Upon entering the Columbia Island marina, in Lady Bird Johnson park,
turn left, I have a Honda Fit that will have the UV hatchback open.
Thank you for being ready to hike at 9:15 so that we can get signed in and leave on time at 9:30 am.
The hike will begin from Columbia island Marina parking lot.Rehydration: Island Time Bar n Grill in the marina is open again!
Dawn K message me here or text to 703 533 9231
39 участников
The Peak & Jordan River Falls – BUSHWHACK (Rating: A)
Mount Marshall Trailhead, Washington, 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 is a 6½-mile HIKE & BUSHWHACK with an elevation gain of 2300-feet, and a trip up to one of the eastern most and least summited peaks in Shenandoah National Park. The hike starts at the Mt Marshal Rd Parking lot and heads up the Mount Marshall Road trail for 1.6 miles to Thoroughfare Gap where we'll bushwhack the abandoned "The Peak Trail" up to the summit of The Peak. On the summit we'll pause for the view then descend to Thoroughfare Gap and take the Jordon River Trail down to a point where we can bushwhack to Jordan River Falls where we'll have lunch.
Jordan River Falls, like most waterfalls in SNP, was formed by the Catoctin Formation, a series of 570 -590 million year old lava flows resistant to erosion, which can form steep cliffs causing waterfalls when streams pass over.
We'll return to the Jordon River Trail taking it back up to Thoroughfare Gap to join the Mount Marshall Road Trail where we'll descent back down to the parking lot.
The hike starts with a ~2000 ft climb from the parking lot to the Peak, with half the elevation gain in bushwhack. This elevation gain is obtained in a distance of 2¾ miles.
Note: the view on "The Peak" is quite nice in winter, and a way to get out and enjoy a section of SNP that is rarely visited. In addition we'll see the Jordon River Falls which is also not on trail.
Hike Grade: A
At only 6.5 miles, this hike seams easy at first glance. But add in the elevation gain 6.5 + 2300ft ÷ 400ft/mi = 12.25 equiv. miles which makes this a B-hike (between 10-13 miles). Although with the 2 mile bushwhack, I've added a grade to call this an A hike.Hike Maps:
Pdf map showing: Parking, Mt Marshal Rd, Thoroughfare Gap, The Peak, Jordan River Falls, Mt Marshal Trail, Jordan River Trail, and the planned route:
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0ceU3Wr0EnbBk0P6EcfXFnOng#The_Peak/Jordon_River_Falls_2024Pdf map from the 1980s showing: Thoroughfare Gap, The Peak, the abandoned The Peak Trail, and part of the planned route:
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0a6fr5_DLtUclHtUFFsgMVFcw#The_Peak/Jordon_River_Falls_1980sGaiaGPS interactive map of the route:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.4/-78.1787/38.7669&pubLink=AFwnVUFkY0dWOrv54gRcw4np&trackId=6fd71eca1267352502e49dfea8664cc9Driving Directions:
Take US 211 west to "Little" Washington, VA. Head west out of "Little Washington" on Harris Hollow Road to Mount Marshall Road. Take the road to the end where there is a parking lot. The Parking lot GPS is: 38.7477, -78.1940.Park Entrance Fee: There is no park entrance fee as the parking lot is outside SNP.
Carpools: Please feel free to arrange carpools in the comment section below the hike leader will meet you at the trailhead.
Dogs: Dogs are not allowed on this hike as it's a bushwhack.
You should be experienced in bushwhacks to go on this hike. Don't sign up if you think this will be an easy 7-mi hike.
12 участников
NEW DATE : Discover the U.S. Botanic Garden (Rate C Fun!)
Columbia Island Marina, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Arlington, 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.
About a 7 mile Loop with minimal elevation gain. Most of the hike will be on pavement.
Treat yourself to a lovely visit to the United States Botanic Garden. It is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States. During the late 18th century, George Washington had a dream of a national botanic garden and was instrumental in establishing one on the National Mall in 1820.
To Prepare our Visit to this 'secret garden', you might want to first take a Virtual Tour ; an Audio Tour; or a Video Tour of the gardens.
From there we will head over to the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe for lunch. You can eat at the cafe or bring your own lunch.
Description:
We will leave from from Columbia Island Marina, head along the Potomac River on the Mount Vernon Trail, cross Memorial Bridge to the Mall. We will admire the view of Mall from the Monument. From there we continue along the Mall to the U.S. Botanic Garden. After Lunch at the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe we will return to the Marina over the 14th street bridge.Pace:
Pace is about 2.5 mph while moving.Bring:
- Hydration and snacks as you desire or purchase lunch at the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe.
-The route is basically level. Most of the hike will be on paved surfaces so wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Dress in layers for the weather paying special attention to your head/hands.Dogs: Dogs are NOT welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather: weather in this location is HERE.
Meetup Location: We will meet up at Columbia Island Marina at 9:15 am to get checked in and ready to leave by 9:30 am.
GPS Coordinates: 38.87651,-77.04947Maps
Map National Mall19 участников
Прошедшие события
4699
