Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

REQUIRED: You must read the following information 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 brisk morning workout. The hike is about 8.8 miles with 2600 feet elevation gain in SNP. We will start the hike by climbing 615 stairs on Buck Ridge. Once reaching SLD, we will take an out-and-back to Mary's rock. Return via Buck Hollow.

We hike at a pace of 3-3.3 mph when moving. This is considered a fast hike. The plan is to complete before noon so you can have proper lunch elsewhere.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and speed.

Leader: Xiaobin 857-408-1070
The hike leader will meet at the trailhead at 8AM.

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 10 minutes. Please arrive at the Park and Ride a few minutes before 6:50AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 6:50AM.
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.

Trailhead: Buck Ridge Trailhead at 8AM
GPS Coordinates: 38.659803739145936, -78.28179773950886 https://goo.gl/maps/hgD9oLJWXvcC6K2N7
Park Entry Fee: $0
Rating: A

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Hiking Map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q39SmtJXxhlCyLUI3Rr0Nr5gVsNmmc7v/view?usp=sharing

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.

8 miles, about 2100 feet elevation gain (Low A).

Description:
Please join us for this point-to-point hike within the George Washington National Forest including beautiful winter ridgeline views from Massanutten Mountain east across the Shenandoah Valley and South Fork of the Shenandoah River and west into Fort Valley.
After positioning vehicles at the beginning and end points of the hike, we will hike up Habron Gap Trail to the Massanutten Trail. Continuing north on the Massanutten Trail for approximately 3.25 miles, we will descend on the Indian Grave Ridge Trail.

Hike Route: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-5c1e0ae?u=i&sh=z7o4im

Hiking Pace: We typically hike about 2.5 mph (faster on flat sections, slower on hilly / rocky sections); however, we leave no one behind and will move at a pace that is comfortable for all.

What to Bring: At least two liters of water, emergency contact information, personal first aid kit and medications, snacks/meal, sunscreen, trekking poles if you use them, sturdy hiking footwear.

Please leave pets at home.

Time to Meet: Please meet by 9:15 am at the Indian Grave Ridge Trail parking lot for introductions and sign in. We will leave several cars here where the hike will end. We will carpool/convoy to Foster’s Landing Parking Lot (Habron Gap trailhead) and begin the hike. After the hike we will stop by the Foster's Landing Parking Lot to recover the cars left there.

Carpool: Please meet at Centreville Park and Ride at 7am. Please don't load up the cars because we will need some slack for the shuttle. The meeting point is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Centreville.

Meeting Point for Morning Shuttle: Google Map to: Indian Grave Ridge Trailhead
Hike Start: Google Map to: Fosters Boat Ramp - Habron Gap Trailhead

Facilities: No bathrooms

Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike leader is Caroline S. Call or text if needed. 703.489.1315.

Cancellation: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

Weather: The weather for this location can be found here.

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.

Tip o' the fedora to Willem Jansen for pioneering this route. This is a 7 mile lollipop hike with about 650' of elevation gain. Our route will take us through McLean and Arlington as we explore two tributary streams of the Potomac, and the remains of two Civil War era fortifications defending the Chain Bridge approach to Washington.

From the Marie Butler Leven Preserve parking, we'll descend to Little Pimmit Run, merging into Pimmit Run. We'll take a short out-and-back side trail up to Fort Marcy before continuing on the Potomac Heritage trail to Chain Bridge. Upon reaching Gulf Branch, we'll follow that trail to the Gulf Branch Nature Center where we'll pause for a short snack break. We'll ascend to Glebe Road where we'll pass through the second Civil War fortification, Fort Ethan Allen, before returning to the Pimmit Run trail and back to the trailhead parking.

Most of the hike is relatively flat, but includes a couple of short, steep, uphill sections. The natural surface portions of the route are narrow in spots and have many roots, and a few stream crossings. Poles may be useful.

The parking lot at the starting point accommodates 12 cars. If it is full when you arrive, don’t park on Kirby Road, but in the Potomac Hills neighborhood, along Loch Raven Drive or Colleen Drive. No restrooms at the starting point; there is a porta potty at the rest stop.

Pace: 2½ mph when moving.

Leader: Steve Wiley, 571-345-6441

Rating: C

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy Please contact me if you plan to bring your dog.

Trailhead: See at the Marie Butler Leven Preserve, GPS coordinates 38.929789, -77.146651. Meet at 9:15. We hike at 9:30. You may also find it in your navigator by inputting 1501 Kirby Road, McLean.

Map for hike: downloadable AllTrails route Leven Preserve - Fort Marcy - Gulf Branch
and a Printable pdf of route

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.

6.8 mile Mercer Lake hike; with Burke Lake option 4.7 additional miles. Elevation is essentially zero.

Description: This gem of a hike seems to be a well-kept secret! This lovely lake is nestled in a residential area between South Run Recreation center and Burke Lake.
Though there are many entrances to Mercer Lake, we will start our hike from **Burke Lake Volley Ball-Picnic area parking lot.
**Most of the Mercer lake trail is paved asphalt, with some sections of gravel. There are a lot of wooded views with a short stretch with lake views.
There is the option of extending the Mercer Lake hike to include a loop around Burke Lake for anyone feeling up for the challenge! We will leave promptly at 9:30 am.

Fee: Access to Burke Lake is FREE to Fairfax County residents and to many affiliated local cities. On weekdays there is no charge except for a few holidays during the warmer months.
From April-October there is a $12 fee for out-of-county residents on weekends and a few holidays.

Restrooms: there are facilities at the Burke Lake Volley Ball Parking Lot
Pace: pace is about 2.5-2.7mph while moving.

Bring: adequate water/hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are rocky areas, tree roots.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.

Weather: weather in this location is HERE.

Meetup Location: When entering Burke Lake at, make your first right after the Information center and travel down to the Volley Ball/Picnic area parking lot.
Address: 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station 22039
Location: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burke-lake-park-location
GPS: 38.760534, -77.305126