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
23
Brisk Late Winter Hike at Riverbend and Great Falls, VA (Rating: B)
Riverbend Park Visitor's Center, 8700 Potomac Hills St, 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.
Rating: B (close to an A)
Distance: 10-11 miles
Elevation: 900 feet
Fees: $2/person entry feeHike: A 10-11-mile barbell hike with about 900 feet of elevation gain along the Potomac Heritage Trail, Bootlegger Trail, River Trail, Difficult Run Trail, and other trails in Riverbend Park and Great Falls Park, Virginia, starting and ending at Riverbend Park. This is not a beginner hike. Walking surface will be gravel and dirt trails that are rocky, muddy, and possibly slushy in places, with some brief rock scrambles. We'll have some lovely views of the Potomac. Bring plenty of water and some snacks. Dress in layers, and be sure to wear sturdy, comfortable footwear and bring poles if you use them. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.
Park entry fee: $0. However, Fairfax County charges a group admission fee of $30. Each person will be required to pay $2 towards the fee (bring small bills), to be collected by the leader. Any amount over $30 will be donated to the park.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy (the dog must be on a leash, and you must tell the hike leader in advance). The dog should be OK with minor rock scrambles.
Map of Riverbend Park available here: Riverbend Park Map
Map of Great Falls Park, Virginia, available here: http://npmaps.com/wp-content/uploads/great-falls-park-map.pdf
19 участников
Greenbrier State Park and Annapolis Rock (Rating: A)
Greenbrier State Park, 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro, 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.
Let's enjoy a relatively warm winter day hiking along the AT in Maryland! We'll warm up with a short 2-mile loop hike within Greenbrier State Park before climbing the Bartman Hill Trail to the intersection with the AT. We'll then hike north along the AT to Annapolis Rock where we will break for lunch. After our lunch break, we'll hike back along the AT and then descend the Bartman Hill Trail to our cars in the Greenbrier State Park parking lot.
Here are details for the hike:
- Start time: 9:00 a.m.
- Trailhead parking: Greenbrier State Park Parking Lot (GPS 39.536068, -77.618469)
- Park entry Fee: $3 per car for Maryland vehicles, $5 for out-of-state
- Distance: 9.1 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,800 feet
- Pace: ~2.5 miles/hour when moving
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/greenbrier-state-park-and-annapolis-rock-5794f54
- Leaders: Chris Bosch 703-216-7801
Carpools
The hike leader(s) will meet hikers at the trailhead. Neither the Club nor the hike leader(s) are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
What to bring
Bring a backpack, water, lunch/snacks, sunscreen, hiking poles if you like. Wear comfortable shoes or boots that are suitable for hiking. Dress in layers for the weather including hat, gloves, rain gear as needed.
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
Park entrance / parking fees
Greenbrier State Park charges a day-use admission fee of Maryland residents $3/vehicle; out-of-state residents $5/vehicle. Information on Maryland State Park passes is available at the link below.
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/parkpass.aspx
Weather
Here's a National Weather Service URL you can use to check the 7-day weather forecast at the trailhead from which we start the hike (Greenbrier State Park).
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.536068&lon=-77.618469
In case of poor or severe weather, this hike will be postponed.
29 участников
Volunteer Work Day - Mason Neck State Park (Rating: Fun)
Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Rd, Lorton, 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.
Clean-up day at Mason Neck State Pak. The Park is situated on a peninsula formed by Pohick Bay on the north, Belmont Bay on the south and the Potomac River on the east. The peninsula is the site of an active heron rookery. The park also attracts several other migrating and non-migrating species of birds, including whistling swans and assorted species of duck. Bald eagles also inhabit the area.
Description:
Become a steward of nature while building your local community and connecting with the people near you that share a passion for the outdoors. Meet with rangers at the Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center for a short talk about conservation and to get supplies to clean up the trash that washes onto the shoreline or is left and scattered along the trails and recreational areas.Clean-Up days are self-paced, so come clean our shoreline for as much time as you can spare to make a difference at the park.
Please bring water, dress for the weather, and expect to get wet and a little dirty. All supplies (gloves and bags) will be provided by the park.There are restrooms at the main picnic area as well as at the Visitor Center.
Bring:
Adequate water/hydration and snacks as you deem necessary. We will be focusing on the shoreline area.Park Entrance Fee:
No Fee for this event. Please let the contact station ranger know you are volunteering for clean-up day, and they will give you a pass for parking.Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyMason Neck Hiking Upward:
https://www.hikingupward.com/OVH/MasonNeck/Mason Neck State Park:
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/mason-neckMeet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to walk over to the Visitor Center.
Meeting Place Instructions: Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton, VA. Access to the park is via U.S. 1, then five miles east on Route 242 (Gunston Road) to the park entrance. Continue into the park on High Point Rd, and take a right onto Outlet Rd. toward the Visitor Center. The main picnic area veers off to the left just before the Visitor Center. We will meet at the main picnic area parking lot. GPS 38.642150, -77.197876
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
26 участников
Harpers Ferry Short Version (Rating: C)
One Loudoun Park and Ride, 20360 Savin Hill Dr, One Loudoun, 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 6 mile hike with 1000’ elevation gain to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and is perfect for those that want to experience Maryland Heights without having to do a long hike. We will begin at the Harpers Ferry Train Station parking lot. We will do a loop around town and then take the Appalachian Trail across the Potomac River on the footbridge. Taking a left we go briefly along the C&O Canal before taking the steep trails up to Maryland Heights for lunch. We hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph when moving.
Rating: C (Upper level C hike, almost a B)
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Park Entry Fee: $20 or free with National Park pass.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Carpools: Arrive at the One Loudoun Park and Ride at 7:45am, carpools leav at 8:00am GPS Coordinates: 39.053141, -77.459133, https://maps.app.goo.gl/MUJ2c9E1oVYRu5Rp7 . Suggested carpool fee is $4. The leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location ~1 hour.
If you are going to the trailhead, meet at the Harpers Ferry Train Station at 9:00am, hike starts at 9:15am. A national park pass (leave on car dashboard) or $20 payment upon arrival using a smartphone and a credit or debit card via a QR code system.
GPS coordinates: 39.324540, -77.731047 https://goo.gl/maps/yLmDLB9cx44Bkr4z7Neither 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/copy-harpers-ferry-maryland-heights-6-5-miles-53a7297?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
31 участников
Прошедшие события
4693
