О нас
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
17
Edinburg Gap and Two Overlooks (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy,, 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 is an 8 mile double out and back hike with 2000' of elevation gain in the Massanutten Mountains of George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.
The first leg is 2.8 miles roundtrip with 700' elevation gain. The second leg is ~5 miles roundtrip with 1300' gain to the Bill Kruszka Overlook. I was with the trail crew that discovered this location while we were building the trail in this area. The Bill Kruszka Overlook is named for the longtime Forestry Service employee who was instrumental for this trail along with Don Sawyer. Both locations have great views of the overlook the town of Edinburg and the Shenandoah Valley.
We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0mph 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)
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride by 7:15am we leave promptly at 7:30am. The leader will be at the carpool location. Suggested carpool fee is $10. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
If you are going to the trailhead, meet at the Edinburg Gap OHV Trailhead Parking lot at 9:00am, hike starts at 9:15am. A porta potty may be there.
GPS coordinates: 38.788729, -78.521631 https://maps.app.goo.gl/FgcYtfHtXCtkEiYZ6Neither 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/custom-routes/custom-route-79ffa82?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
18 участников
Shenandoah River State Park Hike & Bluebell Festival (Rating: B) FUN!
New Stable Way, 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.
9 miles with 922 feet of elevation gain.
Shenandoah River State Park Bluebell Festival
Description: A very scenic hike in the forest of Shenandoah River State Park and along the shore of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. In addition to the meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east.
We will combine several trails in the Park to make a nice loop. We will visit a couple of nice overlooks, one of which we stop at for lunch.We will enjoy the Bluebells which should be blooming nicely and check out the Bluebell Festival celebration at the end of the hike!
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2024-11-04-15-28-14-229412-wjn
The pace will be about 2.5 mph. The elevation gain on this hike is pretty much spread out over the course of the hike. You should be experienced at this distance and elevation gain.
There are restrooms at the overflow parking area (where we start) as well as at the Visitor Center.
Bring: adequate water/hydration (at least 2 liters), also snacks/lunch, and insect repellent, sun screen. The route is mostly level with some rolling hills and there are no stream crossings. Some sections may get muddy after heavy rains. I recommend sturdy hiking shoes there are areas of the trail with tree roots.
Fee: $10.00 park entrance fee (no fee for state park pass holders) or use your REI purchase receipt parking coupon from a participating Virginia REI.
Provide your REI receipt to the contact station ranger or insert it in a self-pay envelope and hang the tab on your rearview mirror.
Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyCARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, meet at University Blvd - Gainesville Park and Ride and plan to leave at 7:20am to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 8:30am. I'm starting the hike a little early to accommodate getting parking ahead of the festival start.
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, -77.589532Neither 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: $4.00 per rider. Driving time from Gainesville Park & Ride to Shenandoah River State Park is about 50 minutes.
NOTE: The times listed for the hike include starting and finishing at Gainesville Park & Ride.
If you are going directly to the trailhead at Shenandoah River State Park the times will be 8:30am-12:30pm.Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 8:30am. The gate at the contact station opens at 8:00am.
Shenandoah River State Park Info:
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/shenandoah-riverShenandoah River State Park address is:
350 Daughter of Stars Dr., Bentonville, VADirections to Shenandoah River State Park.
Trailhead GPS coordinates 38.86284, -78.30555
From Northern Virginia, take I-66 West to exit 13 (Linden). Turn left off the ramp. Go one block to a stoplight where you'll take a right onto Rt. 55 West. At the fifth stoplight, turn left onto 340 South. Drive eight miles; the park's entrance is on the right. About 50 minutes drive time from Gainesville Park & Ride.Any questions, please message meus here or text/call @ 202-528-0456
46 участников
Sugarloaf Mountain (Rating A)
Sugarloaf Mountain East View Parking Lot, Sugarloaf Mountain Drive, Dickerson, 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.
Join us on this 9.0 mile hike at Sugarloaf Mountain near Dickerson, Maryland with approximately 1600 feet of elevation gain. We will meet in the parking lot at 8:45 am and start hiking at 9:00.
This hike has plenty of ups and downs, with a long climb late-ish in the hike, and then a final climb to the summit before we return to our cars. You can choose to skip the final climb and follow the well-marked White trail back to the parking lot. The hike will be weather dependent-- no rain.
We will hike at a moderate pace of 2.5 miles per hour and stop at all intersections. Although there are no water crossings, poles are recommended, particularly for the climb down from the summit. Please also bring at least a liter of water. We will eat lunch at White Rocks, about 4.5 miles into the hike.
We will park at the East View Parking Lot, take the White Trail down the mountain, the Yellow Trail back up, connect to the Blue Trail to enjoy the White Rocks overlook, then go up and over the Purple Trail, back to Blue, back to White, up Red to the summit, then Orange back to the parking lot.
There are two porta potties available near the parking area, as well as one at the base of the mountain.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
Leader: Scott Harris 703-431-3010
Trailhead: Meet at the Sugarloaf East View Parking lot at 8:45 am for our 9:00. start. GPS coordinates: 39.260338, -77.390338. Car pools can be arranged on your own.
Park entry fee: Suggested Donation is $5
Map for the hike: 01302025 Sugarloaf Color Hike on AllTrails
https://api-v5.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-january-30-2025-5807a68-3?p=-1&sh=zg5qvz&utm_medium=map_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality21 участников
Bluebells to Bluetail (Rating: C)
Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, 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.
DESCRIPTION:
Roughly 7ish mile circuit hike (with nature focus) from Riverbend Park (with acres of pre-peak bluebells and other wondrous wildflowers) to Great Falls Park (where an uber-rare red-flanked bluetail bird from Siberia and beyond has been visiting since New Year’s Day). Roughly 350ish elevation change.At our start in Riverbend Park, we’ll dawdle slowly for the first mile to admire the wildflowers, frogs, toads, salamanders, an eagles' nest, and scenery.
After that, we’ll hike at roughly 3 mph but still stop occasionally for flowers, frogs, and other fun stuff. We’ll trek along Riverbend’s uphill trails and then down by the Potomac River to Great Falls Park. There is a slightly tricky rocky crossing between Riverbend and Great Falls — right by the now infamous Potomac Interceptor sewage line that crosses the Potomac River and creates a mini-waterfall. People with balance problems would likely find that difficult.
When we enter Great Falls, we’ll look for the bluetail bird, which resembles an Eastern Bluebird. We’ll turn around (and take a break) near the Great Falls' overlooks. Then we’ll head back to Riverbend along the river with its almost endless eye-candy views of rocks and rapids.
Some bluebells will be blooming (but unlikely peak) but gobs of other wildflowers (like cutleaf toothwort, Virginia springbeauty, and bloodroot) should be all dressed up along our Easter Parade.
CARPOOL: Carpooling is recommended. Riverbend is hosting its own short hike at 9:30 so we don’t want to use too many of their parking spots.
WEATHER: Change in weather policy: if there is a threat of some minor rain, we will still hike. We may have to adjust our route to avoid some of the slippery parts. I will post a final decision by 5 PM on Saturday.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Adults only. No pets, not even real live Easter bunnies.
BRING: $2 cash. Riverbend, a Fairfax County park, requires a $30 payment for more than 12 hikers so please bring $2 cash. No change, please. Also bring water, a snack, and a fully charged cell phone. Optional: camera and/or binoculars, iNaturalist app, and high-quality chocolate to share with your fellow hikers.
BATHROOMS: Portapotty at start, restrooms at turnaround, and at end.
MEET: 8:30 a.m. RIVERBEND PARK'S VISITOR CENTER (Not the Nature Center) deck facing the river.
Please arrive early and ready to go by 8:40. Thanks.
Riverbend Park 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls, VA
Beware of Google Maps directions. Use these GPS coordinates to reach the visitor center at the intersection of Potomac Hills Street and the Potomac River. 39.018743, -77.245956
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbendRIVERBEND PARK TRAIL MAP:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sites/parks/files/assets/documents/trails/trail%20maps/riverbendtrailmap2.pdfGREAT FALLS PARK:
https://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htmGREAT FALLS PARK TRAIL MAP:
https://www.nps.gov/grfa/upload/GRFA-complete-map-508.pdfEBIRD GREAT FALLS PARK:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L718485/recent-checklistsNORTHERN VIRGINIA’S WILDFLOWERS:
https://www.pwconserve.org/plants/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S FREE MAP/BROCHURE APP:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htmWASHINGTON POST’S BLUETAIL STORY:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/03/08/rare-bird-red-flanked-bluetail-virginia/VIRGINIA WILDLIFE MAGAZINE’S BLUETAIL STORY:
https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/spotted-a-superstar-red-flanked-bluetail-far-from-home/38 участников
Прошедшие события
4751
