What we’re about
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 were 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.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Bull Run Occoquan Trail - Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (Rating: B)Hemlock Overlook, Clifton, VA
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.
10 mile out and back lariat hike with 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a scenic hike along Bull Run and in the adjoining forest. We will hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from Hemlock Overlook Park north toward the Confederate Fortifications Historic Site. After taking a break there, we will begin our trek back to Hemlock Overlook. There are rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a nice workout!The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There will not be a restroom at the trailhead so you may want to schedule a pit stop on the way before you arrive.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them.Note: This is very close to an A level hike so make sure you are physically up to the distance and elevation. Any questions, please contact me.
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:30am.
Fee: There is no parking fee.
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Bull Run Occoquan Trail: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-occoquan-trail
Meeting Place Instructions:
Hemlock Overlook Regional Park
13220 Yates Ford Rd, Clifton, VA 20124
Trailhead/parking coordinates:
38.76647, -77.40692
Google map: Trailhead Parking MapNOTE: We park in the parking lot across from Paradise Springs Winery.
GPS coordinates 38.76647, -77.40692Optional post-hike rehydration Main Street Pub, Clifton, VA
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
- Potomac Heritage Trail to Trump National Golf Club (Rating: C)seneca road, Great Falls, VA
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.
This is a 6.3 mile hike with 450 feet elevation gain along the Potomac Heritage Trail starting on the Fairfax/Loudoun county line, Seneca Rd and going west, upstream, to the Trump National Golf Club. We hike at a 2.0-2.5 mph pace when moving. Parts of the trail may be overgrown.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Trail head GPS Coordinates: 39.051421, -77.334234 https://goo.gl/maps/VGZ4DY4TV1c5nRbLA
The address shown in the location field may or may not get you to the correct place when loaded in GPS, please check against the map.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Carpool Fee: $0.00
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
AllTrails Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-december-27-2024-43b9787?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
- Burke Lake (Rating: D)Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station, VA
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.
A 5 mile hike with no elevation change. We will start promptly at 9:30 p.m and snack half way round.
There are restrooms if you continue into the parking lot where we meet, towards the lake, by the marina. Bring water and, if you like, something to eat as we take a break at the half way point. (Herons may be visible here later in February.) Wear sneakers or hiking shoes.
DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the parking lot near the Marina. Enter the park at the Burke Lake Park Entrance on Ox Road (Route 123). If using a GPS to find the park, just key in "Burke Lake Park." More directions are below. After entering the park, go straight following the road as it curves right and goes into the marina parking lot. This will be the first parking lot (not counting some parking along the side of the road) that you come to. Bear right into the lot. We congregate at the area soon after entering the parking lot.
DOGS: No dogs on this hike.
LEADERS: Harvey Haines & Anita DeAngelis
PLEASE NOTE START TIME OF 9:30 a.m.!
FEE: Free
More Directions:
Burke Lake Park is located off Route 123 between I-95 to the south and the Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) to the north.
From I-95, follow 123 North (Ox Road) for 7.5 miles to the park entrance on the right. (If you see the golf course, then you have gone too far. The golf course entrance is the next right off Route 123; this is beyond the park entrance. Good place to turn around, if need be.)
From the Fairfax County Parkway, take 123 South (Ox Road) for 2 miles. Turn left into Burke Lake Park. The golf course entrance is the first left off Route 123. The park entrance is the second left off Route 123.
- Washington Monument and Beyond via the Appalachian Trail (Rating: A)Dulles Town Center Park & Ride Lot, Virginia, VA
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.
This is a 9 mile out-and-back hike along the Appalachian Trail with about 1,600 feet of elevation gain. We'll start at the MG Jesse Reno Monument parking area near Boonsboro, MD, and head north on the Appalachian Trail. We'll go about 4.5 miles passing the state's Washington Monument. We'll come back to the Washington Monument to have lunch and then head back 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
Trailhead: GPS: 39.47051, -77.61701
CARPOOLING: Meet at the Dulles Town Center Park and Ride at 8:00 am. Suggested carpool fee is $5. The leader will not be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 39.034171, -77.430122
https://goo.gl/maps/b42ximPSAvQ4AtEE7Driving time to trail head from the carpool location: about 45 minutes
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.
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
