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- Potomac Heritage Trail Goose Creek Loudoun County (Rating: C)Bles Park, Ashburn, 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 an out and back 9.5 miles hike along the Potomac Heritage Trail in the Ashburn area of Loudoun County with a 150' elevation gain. We will begin at Bles Park and follow the Potomac River north to Goose Creek and then along Goose Creek to Riverside Parkway. We'll hike by some ruins of the Coose Creek and Little River Canal locks and a Mill. Thanks to Ed for the cover photo.
Background History: In 1849, construction began on a system of locks and dams to render the Goose Creek navigable up to three large mills in the Loudoun Valley. By 1845, the Goose Creek and Little River Navigation Company canal system had been completed on Goose Creek to Ball's (Evergreen) Mill, 12 miles (19 km) upstream from the mouth. Though the lower portion of the canal saw significant usage, only one boat was ever known to have traveled the whole stretch, and by 1857 the canal was put out of business by the completion of the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad to Leesburg. Most of the locks and dams were destroyed by the Union Army during the Civil War.
We hike at a pace of 2.5 to 3.0 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Meet at Bles Park @ 9:00am. GPS Coordinates: 39.068909, -77.449010. Restrooms are available at the Bles Park Trailhead
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-january-24-2024-fedf67d?u=i&sh=iypgzx - Elkwallow Loop (Rating: A)Centreville Park & Ride, Centreville, 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.
The hike is about 9.2 miles with 1700 feet elevation gain in SNP.
This hike starts from the Elkwallow Wayside. The store is NOT open for the season yet as power from extensive wind damage must be restored first. We will cross Skyline Drive a few times and hike 3 mountains (Little Hogback, Hogback, Sugarloaf).
We hike at an average pace of 2.8 mph, slower on uphill and faster on flat or downhill. Group will wait at all intersections.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and pace.
Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314
For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park & Ride. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour 30 minutes. Please arrive at the Park & Ride a few minutes before 7:15AM to form carpools so all cars can leave at 7:15AM. Suggested carpool fee is $8. The leader will not be at the carpool.
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: Elkwallow Wayside at 8:45am. Hike begins at 9am.
GPS Coordinates: 38.738755084294304, -78.308623251989 https://goo.gl/maps/d57nz22J6abFWQ2i7Park Entry Fee: $30 for 7-day pass or free with SNP or National Park annual pass
There are pit toilets at the Elkwallow picnic area, but best to stop at Panorama on your way in.
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/1eASOWOPS99tcny7WuwuQKJBko7XQS4Q1/view?usp=sharing
- Occoquan Bay NWR Bird Banding (Rating:D)Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Woodbridge, 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.
The bird banding station is open for the 2024 spring migration season. Skilled banders are there from 7am-noon on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for the next few weeks. Hopefully we'll get to see them in action.
A top-secret radio research center in Woodbridge was closed by the U.S. Army in 1996, and the 580 acres along the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers were turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for preservation. Formerly known as the Woodbridge Army Research Facility-Harry Diamond Laboratories, the square mile of field and marsh was closed to public access and kept in grasslands. Wildlife flourished during the 50 years that the property was closed to civilian access. The diverse upland and wetland habitats of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge support a wide variety of resident and migratory wildlife, including over 200 species of birds, 79 species of butterflies, and 77 species of Dragonflies and Damselflies.
*The Refuge has a 9 person group limit.
Please arrive by 8:15am to sign in. Please note that we will NOT be parking at the Visitor Center (opens at 10am).DISTANCE: 5 miles flat
PACE: 2.5-3 mph/while moving
TERRAIN: Dirt trails
DOGS: Dogs are not permitted inside the refuge
MEETUP LOCATION: Occoquan National Wildlife Refuge 14050 Dawson Beach Rd. Woodbridge, VA
FEE: $0.00
RESTROOMS: Portable restrooms at the start.
LEADER: Kris N. (618) 623-2484 - Five Boro Bike Tour - New York City (Rating: Moderately Difficult)Needs location
*** New Post COVID Trial Process - No More Signing In ***
Step 1: Read the Liability Disclaimer: https://www.nvhc.com/signin.pdf
Step 2: When prompted, type "I Accept" followed by your
A: Full name
B: Contact number and
C: Emergency contact number
Example: "I accept. Jane Doe, (703)555-5555, (301)666-6666."
This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.LENGTH: 40 mi. Elevation gain: Steady uphill on the bridges. PACE: 8-10 mi/hr.
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY. This is a lot to take in. Message the leader or post a comment if you have questions.
DATE: The ride is set for Sunday, May 5. Leader will be traveling to NYC on Saturday, May 4 and staying overnight in a hotel in Manhattan, and traveling back Sunday evening after the ride (see the TARVEL section below).
THE RIDE: The Five Boro Bike Tour is an annual recreational cycling event in New York City. It began in 1977 and it is the biggest one-day bike event in the United States. It is produced by Bike New York. The 40-mile (64 km) ride includes over 30,000 riders. The route takes riders through all five of New York's boroughs and across five major bridges. The entire route, including bridges and expressways which normally prohibit cyclists, is closed to automobile traffic for the ride. This bike ride is NOT a race and is suitable for road and hybrid bikes. There are rest stops in every boro with free snacks and drinks. The leader plans to ride at a slow pace of 8-10 miles/hour. At the end of the ride, near the ferry terminal, there will be a big party; we can stop for snacks and beer there.
REGISTRATION: Registration is OPEN! Go here to register:
TD Five Boro Bike Tour - Bike New YorkBike New York
The event is expected to fill up quickly. When you register, select the "early as possible" option for the start of the ride. Also, pick "NoVa Hiking Club" for name of the team.HELMET AND BIKE LABELS: These will be mailed out? Yes for an additional $60 (!)
NVHC TEAM DINNER SATURDAY: There will be an optional dinner on Saturday, May 6th in NYC for the NVHC team. 7:00? It will be in lower Manhattan, close to the action. Everyone pays for their own meal. Recommendations on a restaurant welcome.
LOGISTICS: Everyone decides whatever is best for them for transportation and overnight stay:
TRAVEL: Unfortunately, the bike racks in trains are already being sold out. Leader plans to take the early morning (6:48) train from BWI (#162, NE Regional) on Saturday from BWI to New York Penn Station and an evening train Sunday after the event back to BWI (#139 NE Regional departure 10:01 p.m.). Some Amtrak trains allow bikes for $20 - be sure to check before booking. In NYC, leader plans to ride his bike to the hotel on the beautiful bike trail by the Hudson River. Subway allows bikes too. Most hotels let guests store their bikes in the rooms - be sure to check before booking. You can also rent bikes in NYC - book early. Alternatively, you can drive to Staten Island, stay overnight there, and take a ferry to the start of the ride Sunday morning. That way you are close to your hotel when the ride ends, and you avoid driving into Manhattan. Make sure to leave plenty of time for the ride, the party afterwards, a ferry ride if applicable, and other unexpected delays while reserving the return journey. Departures after 8 p.m. are safe.
STAY: Leader plans to stay in one of the hotels in lower Manhattan, close to the start of the ride, which ends at the ferry terminal in Staten Island, leader plans to ride the free ferry back to Lower Manhattan, ride back to the hotel and pick up his bag, and ride back to the train station. If you want to share a room with someone else, you need to arrange it by yourself.