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- McLean to Arlington: Pimmit Run and Gulf Branch Trail - (Rating: C)Mary Leven Butler Preserve , McLean, 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 7½ mile hike with 600' elevation gain. We will start at the parking lot of the Mary Leven Butler preserve, find our way to the Pimmit Run Trail and follow that to Chain Bridge. There we will take the Potomac Heritage Trail and then the Gulf Branch Trail to the Gulf Branch Nature Center where we will rest. Then through Glebe Road Park and a short piece along Glebe Road, back to the Pimmit Run Trail and then to the starting point.
The hike will have nice overlooks of the Little Pimmit Run, the Pimmit Run and the Potomac River and will pass nearby a few Civil War Forts (Marcy and Ethan Allen). The hike is relatively flat, on a rather narrow trail with many roots, a few stream crossings, and one short, steep climb which we will not descend on the way back. Poles may be useful.
The current weather forecast for Tuesday has a slight chance of rain, in spots, temperatures between 70 and 80F. By all means, pack your raincoat.
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: Willem Janssen, 202-280-4397
Rating: C
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Trailhead: We will start at the Mary Leven Butler Preserve parking lot on Kirby Road, McLean, GPS coordinates are: 38.929789, -77.146651. You may also find it in your navigator by inputting 1501 Kirby Road McLean.
Map for hike: mary-leven-butler-preserve-to-gulf-branch-nature-center-c75e10e-5337ddfc.pdf (alltrails.com)
Not open - White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run 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.
This is an 8.3 mile loop hike with around a 2,300 elevation gain. We will hike it in the counterclockwise direction going up White Oak Canyon and coming down Cedar Run. The trails here can be steep and challenging but that's the price we'll have to pay for the views and waterfalls. We'll be hiking at a 2-2.5 MPH pace slowing down for the inclines and photo ops.
Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/white-oak-canyon-and-cedar-run-trail-loop
GPS Coordinates for trailhead: 38.53906, -78.34808
Entry to Shenandoa National Park costs $30.00 per car unless you have a park pass.
Leader: Randy Wood 703-475-8334
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy But be aware that this is a challenging hike.
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 1.5 hours. Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:00 AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 7:15 AM. Suggested carpool fee is $5.
Hike leader will not be at the carpool location.
Please arrive at the trailhead 15 minutes before 9:00 AM so we can get everyone signed in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00 AM.
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.
- Algonkian Park Nature Sanctuary (Rating: C)Volcano Island Waterpark, Sterling, 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 ~ 8 mile hike with ~100 feet of elevation gain in Algonkian Regional Park. We'll start on the Potomac Heritage Trail (PHT) and hike downstream on the PHT to the Algonkian Nature Sanctuary where we'll make a loop and then return to the start point. The Algonkian Regional Park Nature Sanctuary consists of 30+ acres of wetlands on Lowe's Island adjacent to the Potomac River. The wetlands are a unique part of the Potomac that supports a variety of flora and fauna including Bald Eagles.
There will be some hiking along the Potomac River, the golf course and recreation areas. We will start on the PHT near the parking lot at Volcano Island Waterpark in Algonkian Regional Park (GPS coordinates: 39.061784, -77.386796). Some of the hike is on trails, pavement and gravel road. We hike at a pace of 2.5 to 3.0 mph while moving.
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/algonkian-wildlife-sanctuary-steve-frith-41e7637?u=i&sh=iypgzx
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-january-31-2024-e5ae7b1?u=i&sh=iypgzx - Catlett Mountain Loop and Swim (Rating: A)Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 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.
Hike Description: This hike is about 10 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,050 feet. It begins from the Old Rag Parking Area (meet in the upper lot – the one designated for buses/trailers). We will walk on Nicholson Hollow, Hannah Run, Hot Short Mountain and several other trails to make a loop ending at the swimming hole on Nicholson Hollow. We will plan about 30 minutes to take a dip. The swimming hole is close to the parking lot so those who wish can head out.
Bring at least 2 liters of water since it is expected to be hot.
Leader: Caroline S (703-489-1315)
Rating: A
Pace: 2.5 mph
Pets: No dogs on this hike as there are numerous stream crossings.
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride in time to depart no later than 7:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to trail head from the carpool location is about 75 minutes. Feel free to post a comment if you can offer a ride or need a ride.
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy. Centreville, VA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/b2UHNkwWYnMyR52d6
GPS Coordinates: 38.83613014358188, -77.45523134440845Trailhead: Old Rag Parking (Upper Lot) 38.2613344, -78.3614646
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7HMsFBrZg6qjkCHKAHike Start Time: 8:30 AM
Park Entry Fee: $30 or National Park Pass
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.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
