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- Lost River State Park, WV (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.
This is an 11.6 mile hike with 2000' elevation gain in Lost River State Park, WV ( http://www.lostriversp.com ). We will hike on the Cranny Crow/Big Ridge trails. We will have beautiful views along the way including Millers Rock and will pass many interesting structures. This park is about a 2 hour drive from the Centreville Commuter Lot. Even the drive has great scenery.
We hike at a 2.5-3.0 mph pace when moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Park Entry Fee: $0
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920
Carpools: Arrive at the Centreville Park and Ride at 6:45am carpools depart at 7:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $12. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time from Centreville to trailhead is ~2 hours with pit stop.
Trailhead: Meet at Lost River State Park at 9:00am hike starts at 9:15am, park at the swimming pool parking lot. GPS Coordinates 38.895211, -78.924458 https://goo.gl/maps/L6KevYXSY7dXDTBd7
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.
AllTrails Map for Hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/lost-river-state-park-d9fc5b7?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
- Sky Meadows State Park Loop (Rating: B)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.
7 miles with 1,400 feet elevation gain.
Sky Meadows State Park is rich in history, the park has rolling pastures and woodlands, scenic vistas and is also a working farm. The park also has access to the Appalachian Trail, which will be part of our hike.
Starting from Sky Meadows State Park visitors center parking area, we will combine several trails including the South Ridge and North Ridge Trails, the Old Trail, a portion of the Appalachian Trail and the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail. There are some nice scenic overlooks including the Paris, VA overlook where we will take a break before returning back down to the visitor center.
Most of the elevation gain is at the beginning when we ascend South Ridge and a portion of North Ridge to the AT.
The pace will be about 2.0 to 2.5 mph.
Bring water/hydration, snacks, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. There are no stream crossings.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Gail Markulin (703) 402-5902 (C)
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 8:00 am. Suggested carpool fee is $4. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time from carpool location is ~ 45 minutes.
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.
Trail Head Meeting Instructions: We are meeting at the parking lot closest to the Visitor Center. GPS coordinates 38.9917, -77.9661
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 9am. Park opens at 8am. Restrooms are available adjacent to the visitors center.
Fee: $10.00 park entrance fee (no fee for Virginia State Park Pass holders) or use your REI purchase receipt parking coupon.
Provide your REI receipt to the contact station ranger or insert it in a self-pay envelope at the contact station. Use the self-pay envelope to pay the entrance fee if no one is at the contact station is not open and hang the tear-off tab on your rear view mirror.
AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/sky-meadows-loop--2?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
- Manassas Gap Trail-Trillium Trail (Rating: A)14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA 20120, Centreville, VI
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 10.3-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail (AT), with 2,200 feet of elevation gain. We will take short breaks at intersections and a regular lunch break at the trilliums. Part of the hike will be in the GR Thompson State Wildlife Management Area, just outside Linden VA.
The Trillium Trail loop contains “one of the most outstanding trillium displays in Virginia and perhaps in the eastern United States.” Although there are no guarantees, you should see lots of trillium, mayapple, wild geranium, yellow and purple violets, and other wildflowers along the trail.
We will hike at around 2.5 to and back from the Trillium Trail, but we will slow down considerably on the Trillium Trail.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride to be ready to leave by 7:30 am. Suggested carpool fee is $5. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Trailhead meetup time is 8:15 to start the hike by 8:30. Driving time from Centreville to the trailhead is about 40 minutes.
Parking and Trail Head Coordinates: 38.911379, -78.052741.
This location is just off Route 55 between Markham and Linden, VA, about 100 yards in on Tuckers Ln, on the right side, and immediately adjacent to the pedestrian bridge. There are three other places to park nearby - on Route 55 at Tuckers or on Tuckers at Route 55. If you park on the side of the road on Tuckers Ln make sure you are completely off the road.Leader: Caroline Steinberg 703.489.1315
Rating: A
Parking Fee: $0.00
Park Entry Fee: $0.00Map of hike: https://drive.google.com/file/d/143XHu6qsmdKIx7eKPnYABj5k943CWuCX/view?usp=sharing
- Keys Gap / Blackburn Trail Center (Rating A)University Blvd Park and Ride, Gainesville, 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.
Route: Keys Gap / Blackburn Trail Center is a 13-mile out and back, 1,700 feet elevation gain hike along the Appalachian Trail. The hiking pace will be 2.0 – 2.5 mph.
The Keys Gap / Blackburn Trail Center trail follows the Appalachian Trail as it crosses the Virginia / West Virginia State line several times as the trail heads south. We can plan to have lunch at the Blackburn Trail Center before returning north to Keys Gap.
Carpools: Meet at the University Blvd Park and Ride at GPS coordinates: 38.80136, -77.59032 no later than 8:00 AM. The meetup location is across from the new Sheetz store located at 7201 New Stable Way. Please note that the carpool meetup location is across from the Sheetz store, it is not at the Sheetz location itself.
The hike leader will be at the carpool location but 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. It is about a 55-minute / 41-mile drive from the park and ride to the Keys Gap parking lot (GPS coordinates 39.261499, -77.762416.)
NOTE: Assuming you're driving north on Charles Town Pike, it’s very easy to miss the parking lot so when you see the highway sign welcoming you to West Virginia, you should have your right turn signal on and be ready to make an immediate right into the lot.
Trailhead (Keys Gap parking lot): The Keys Gap parking lot is at GPS coordinates 39.261499, -77.762416. Please be at the trailhead no later than 9:15 AM.
Dogs. Dogs are permitted in accordance with the NVHC pet policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Fees
There is no entrance fee.
Suggested carpool fee is $4.00.Leader: Jim Hollis (703-927-7189.. please use text or Meetup messaging)
