Audubon

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](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. Celebrate springtime with a 10 mile hike with 700' of elevation gain showcasing two lakes, wildflowers and a botanical garden. We will begin at the South Lakes Village Shopping Center in Reston, and take Reston paths to the W&OD equestrian trail, which we will follow easterly until the intersection with the Meadowlark Connector Trail. That trail leads to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, operated by NOVA Parks. We’ll walk for about a mile through the gardens to see flowering plants, the Korean Bell Garden and a koi pond. After a lunch break, we’ll backtrack but this time follow the W&OD paved path part of the way. From the W&OD to the South Lakes Village Shopping Center we’ll take a different route, looking for wildflowers as we hike through a stream valley and up and down hills on unpaved trails, including the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail. If we’re lucky, wood poppies and wild azaleas will be in bloom along our route in Reston as they were at approximately the same time last year: The final segment will be on mostly asphalt paths along Reston’s lakes Audubon and Thoreau. Overall, about 60 percent of the hike will be on paved surfaces. We hike at a pace of between 2.5-3.0 mph when moving, but the loop through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens will be a stroll with stops. Restrooms are available at the South Lakes Village Shopping Center and at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, and there’s a porta potty along the W&OD Trail at roughly the halfway point between Reston and the gardens. No dogs permitted on this hike. Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C) NVHC hiker Maurice will assist in guiding us through this route. [Rating: B](https://nvhc.com/hikeinfo/ratings/) Gardens Entry Fee: For groups of 10 or more, money to be collected by leader. Exact change appreciated. Under 60 - $6.00 60 or older: $3.00 AllTrails Map for hike: [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-april-14-2025-a14185b-3?u=i&sh=7cs7ov](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-april-14-2025-a14185b-3?u=i&sh=7cs7ov) Map of Garden: [https://www.novaparks.com/sites/default/files/2025-03/MC-ML-ParkMap_FL_3.24.25.pdf](https://www.novaparks.com/sites/default/files/2025-03/MC-ML-ParkMap_FL_3.24.25.pdf)

**Please read fully before sign-in.** You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](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 hike is 14.5 miles’ loop with an elevation gain of approximately 2600 ft., featuring scenic Little and Big Schloss overlook on Great North Mountain trails. Hike starts from the parking lot across FDR92 near purple blazed Little Sluice Mtn trail. Hike ends near Little Stoney Creek parking area at FDR92 intersection where we will all park. We will do a short shuttle in the morning to avoid walking additional 2.5 miles on the FDR at the end of the hike. **Because this is a relatively hard hard hike in a remote area , if I don't know you, please message me with a recent A or A plus hike that you have done.** Please refer the GPS coordinates for exact trailhead parking location(s). If you plan to meet at Centreville Park and Ride, be there in time to sort out carpools and leave by 7:00 AM. Need to know details: Distance: 14.5 miles (approximately) Elevation gain: 2600 feet (approximately) Pace: 2.5 Mph Terrain: Up/Down; Rock Scramble; Few water crossings Park entry fee: $0 Carpool Fee: $10 **Trailhead Parking Lot Coordinates: (Please read fully and carefully)** Little Stoney Creek Parking: [38.93795, -78.64623](https://maps.app.goo.gl/uobhFqXgETFiUdq8A). We will all meet at the Little Stoney Creek Parking area and then shuttle all the hikers back to the Little Sluice Mtn trail parking: [38.90833, -78.64085](https://maps.app.goo.gl/535Gv5NMLtcv5q9V7) where we will begin the hike. Distance between two parking lots is 2.5 miles approx. CARPOOLING: From Centerville Park and Ride, please proceed to “Little Stoney Creek parking.” Only 2-3 cars will transport all the hikers back to “Little Sluice Mtn Trail parking” where we start the hike. We should not fill the cars up completely at Centerville so we can accommodate the short shuttle. 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: $10.00 per rider. Driving time from the Centreville, VA Park & Ride to the trailhead is about 90 minutes. Meetup time at Little Stoney Creek parking area is 9:00 a.m. Directions from Centreville Park and Ride: [https://goo.gl/maps/y81kyHE16H9hmqdQ9](https://goo.gl/maps/y81kyHE16H9hmqdQ9) (To Little Stoney Creek parking area). Approximate drive time is 90 minutes one way. Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-at-little-schloss-and-big-schloss-loop-dfd7468 Dogs permitted in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) Bring: Adequate water, food/snacks, hat, layers, basic first aid kit, rain gear (depending on weather), hiking poles, hiking shoe, sunscreen, bug spray, water shoe (for water crossing, if any), additional pair of socks and your big happy smile 😊. Request you to send your full name, contact number and emergency number for sign in. Any questions? Message or text me! Looking forward to this awesome hike, Caroline 703-489-1315

**Unwind. Breathe. Reset.** Join us for a calming **guided evening meditation** designed to help you **release stress**, **quiet the mind**, and **restore inner peace**, even if you’ve never meditated before. * **Time:** 7:00 PM–7:30 PM * **Format:** Gentle guidance + quiet time + peaceful reflection * **Perfect for:** Beginners and experienced meditators * **What to bring:** Just yourself **Come as you are. Leave feeling lighter.** * **Reserve your spot** (recommended) * **Free Event - Donations Appreciated** * **Bring a friend. First-timers welcome!** * **Arrive early to settle in. Doors open at 6:00 PM.**

Meet in front of Copper Canyon by the benches.
We'll do anywhere from 3-5 laps. It's .75 miles around and we usually do 3/4 laps. For safety reasons, we’re going to keep the group to two small groups of eight members each. Sometimes it get crowded there so we don’t want to have any mishaps. 
Afterwards, if we like the group will decide where to grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants at the RIO. If you happen to be late, walk, counterclockwise around the lake and you should see us walking

Join fellow book club members for dinner and great conversation at Juleps Kentucky Tavern located at 43781 Central Station Drive in Ashburn. Each person is responsible for any food and drinks selected. If you sign up and need to cancel, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance.

***Feel free to come earlier to ensure we have enough courts!*** **Remember to bring a can of new or lightly used tennis balls.** By signing up to this Meetup event, you agree * To practice effective social distancing and hold yourself 100% responsible for protecting yourself against exposure to Covid-19 and any other cooties. * To not hold anyone (including Meetup.com) liable should you be exposed to Covid-19 by attending this event. * To decline attending if you suspect you have any of the Covid-19-related symptoms (we can wait until you're better to show your tennis prowess). Please bring a can of NEW tennis balls. As usual, this meetup is cancelled if the weather doesn't permit us to play If you see others waiting to use the courts, please limit your play to one short set (best of 5 games), where the losing team rotates out. Thanks in advance!!

Celebrate Earth Day with Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings at Lake Fairfax Park in Fairfax County, Virginia. First started on April 22 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson in order to bring awareness to the importance of the environment, Earth Day is now celebrated throughout America and the world. This years Earth Day Festival for Northern Virginia takes place at Lake Fairfax Park near Reston. Located in the Difficult Run Watershed by the damning of Colvin Run, beautiful Lake Fairfax offers camping, picnicking, swimming, and hiking on 15 miles of trail. The Earth Day Festival includes many outdoor organizations, live music, guest speakers, food vendors, outdoor activities, and great spirits as we both celebrate and promote further protection of our precious Earth. Meet throughout the day at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, Virginia. Leaders: Glenn Gillis 571-217-4477 and Vicky Hsu 240-370-7011.

Please join us for this out-and-back go-at-your-own-pace hike on the C&O Canal towpath from Whites Ferry, MD NORTH to Spinks Ferry (for 50k trainees) or beyond to Point of Rocks (for 100k trainees). Although this is the final training hike for the One Day Hike (ODH) on May 2 (NEXT WEEKEND!), everyone is welcome to participate. The towpath is certain to be adorned left and right with an assortment of beautiful spring wildflowers. Birds, waterfowl, and possibly a bald eagle or two will charm you as you walk along. This hike never fails to delight. Come prepared with snacks, lunch, hydration, footwear that can go the distance, and clothing appropriate for the day's forecast. Each participant must sign a liability waiver at the start. We're still in need of volunteers to support the ODH; please ask family and/or friends if they can help out and if so, they need to get in touch with Mike.Darzi@gmail.com. There is no cost for this event although SCPRO appreciates a voluntary donation of $2.00 to support club expenses. FYI, the Whites Ferry Store & Grill won't be open at the start of this training hike, but will be open when you finish (hours are 9AM-7PM).

**Billy Goat Sections A and B weather permitting. If canceled I will reschedule.**

Join NVBA and come prepared to test your knowledge and quick thinking at a bird-themed trivia night, hosted by NextGen Birders for Conservation at the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance HQ! Even if you think you know a lot about birds, nature, and wildlife, we hope that you will learn something new and have fun doing it. There will also be small prizes for the top-scoring participants! Given that this is the first event of this nature being hosted by NextGen, we will be informal in our approach to how you participate - feel free to attempt on your own, but we will encourage you to form small groups, based on total number of participants. The trivia will begin at 7:15PM sharp, after everyone has had a chance to settle in, and we will wrap things up by 8:45PM to allow for final score tallying, tiebreakers, and prizes. Even if you do not want to participate in the trivia, this could be a good opportunity to socialize and network with like-minded individuals who appreciate nature and knowledge. We will have snacks and beverages available - feel free to bring your own snacks as well. At the end of the event, we will announce upcoming NextGen and NVBA events - we encourage everybody who comes out to continue being involved with our bird walks and other events! Please come to the front door of the building and follow instructions posted on the door to contact somebody who will let you into the building and direct you to the location of the event. Any updates to this event will be sent as an email/notification to people who have RSVP'd "Yes."

**Title**: Amplifying Engineering Skills with Claude Code In this session we will dive into how Claude Code can augment modern engineering practices, from rapid prototyping and refactoring to test generation and documentation. We’ll cover real-world use cases, integration patterns, and tips for getting the most out of AI in your development lifecycle. 6-6:30p.m. - food & drinks 6:30-7:30p.m. - Presentation 7:30-8:00p.m. - Q&A and Possible concept presentation for feedback

Walk among the largest stand of large-flowered trillium in Virginia at GR Thompson Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Linden, VA. These iconic woodland wildflowers are identified by three large petals, which start white and deepen to rose as they age. A great many other spring ephemerals growing in this area promise to delight both expert and beginner naturalists. On this 5.5 mile hike we will gain about 1000 ft of elevation, and we will hike about 2.0 mph when moving. Photos encouraged! **Hike Route:** Trillium 5.5/1000 (UpperTedLake) on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trillium-5-5-1000-uppertedlake-92262bf **Time to Meet:** Please meet 15-20 min prior to hike start for introductions and liability waiver sign in. **RSVP:** RSVP to register for this hike. If your plans change, please edit your RSVP 24-48 hours before the hike to open a spot for another hiker. This request also applies to hikers on the Waitlist. RSVPs close at 6 PM the evening before the hike. **Meeting Location/Parking:** 3750 Freezeland Road, Linden, VA. Room for 10-12 cars. **Carpooling strongly recommended.** If we should fill available parking, we will shuttle hikers from a small park (a minute or two away). **GPS 38.93950, -78.03943** **Group Size:** 20 hikers **Facilities:** Privy at Manassas Gap shelter, a mile or so into the hike. **Access Fee:** Hike leader will secure WMA group access permit and pay daily access fee for hikers. **For this reason, NO SHOWS and last minite RSVP updates are discouraged.** **Contact Information:** Please use the comments feature for comments and questions. The hike leader is Lisa P. **Cancellation:** In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, hikers will be notified through comments on this posting. Please check Meetup for updates before leaving for the hike. **What to Bring:** Water at least two liters, emergency contact information, medications, snacks/meal, insect repellent, sunscreen/protection from weather, and personal first aid kit. Trekking poles if you use them, sturdy hiking footwear. Please leave pets at home. Thanks! **PATC:** * To find out more about PATC, [click here](https://www.patc.net/)**.** * Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, [click here](https://www.patc.net/membership) Attendance is limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. PATC rules do not permit children under 18 years to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present.

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, **[https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](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. **8.00 mile circuit hike with 500 feet of elevation gain.** **Description:** Our Hike will begin at **Pennyfield Lock 22** along the **C&O Canal** in the **[Pennyfield Lock Parking Lot](https://montgomeryparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Montgomery-Parks-Blockhouse-Point-Trail-Map-letter-2024_a11y.pdf)** , and heads over to the **[C&O Canal Towpath.](https://www.canaltrust.org/plan/co-canal-towpath/)** While walking along the water’s edge, keep an eye out for sunbathing **[turtles](https://www.canaltrust.org/2020/10/top-5-photographed-turtle-species-on-the-co-canal/)**, elegant **[Blue Herons](https://potomac.org/blog/2022/7/11/5-large-birds-you-can-easily-spot-along-the-potomac-river)** and yes, **[snakes](https://www.nps.gov/choh/learn/nature/reptiles-amphibians.htm)** too, all the while soaking in sweeping views of the **Potomac River.** From there the hike heads up into the **[BlockHouse Point](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/block-house-point-conservation-park/)**[ ](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/block-house-point-conservation-park/)**[Conservation Park](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/block-house-point-conservation-park/)** offering spectacular views of the **[Potomac River](https://www.americanrivers.org/river/potomac-river/).** **Facilities:** Portable bathrooms at the trailhead **Hike Pace**: Pace will be about **2.0 – 2.5 mph** while moving. **Bring:** Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, insect repellant and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas/tree roots, stream crossing. Hiking poles if you normally use them. **Fee:** None **Dogs:** dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the **[NVHC Dog Policy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy)**. Please be sure your dog is able to hike the distance, **Where to Meet:** **GPS Coordinates**: **39°03'14.7"N 77°17'20.4"W** **[LINK](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1eeDTXwpeV94x4cC8)** **Address:** Pennyfield Lock Road Parking Lot, **12400 Pennyfield Lock Rd · Potomac, MD** Pennyfield Lock Road is about 5.5 miles northwest of Potomac Village on River Road. Turn left onto Pennyfield Lock Road, take it to the very end, then turn left, and continue a few hundred feet to the Porta-Johns where we will park. **CONTACT INFO:** Any questions, please message me here or text me at 703 533 9231 Dawn K. Hike Leader **MAPS:** **[BlockHouse Point Conservation Park](https://montgomeryparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Montgomery-Parks-Blockhouse-Point-Trail-Map-letter-2024_a11y.pdf)** **[AllTrails](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/blockhouse-point-loop-trail)**