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- Bear Church Rock (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 A+ hike due to distance and elevation. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE POST BEFORE RSVPING.
PLEASE NOTE: **** This hike is only suitable for those who have recent experience hiking this distance and elevation gain. Everyone will be initially placed on the waiting list. If you have not hiked with me before, please message me with a hike of similar distance and elevation you have done and I will move you to going. There is a potentially tricky water crossing depending on the water level. Shoe covers are advised.
Please join me on this wonderful lollipop hike of 13.7 miles and about 3,100 feet of elevation gain. The spectacular view from Bear Church Rock is followed by the beautiful Staunton River trail. Hopefully the mountain laurel will be in bloom because this hike is loaded with it!
We will start the hike on the Graves Mill Trail then take the Staunton River Trail to the Jones Mountain Trail, then back to the Staunton River Trail and Graves Mill Trail to the cars.
For those wishing to CARPOOL, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA. The driving time from there to the trailhead is approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes (with no stop). Please arrive at the Park and Ride before 7:00 AM to form carpools so all cars can leave at 7:00 AM sharp. I WILL BE AT THE CARPOOL LOCATION.
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 participation is at your own risk. Suggested carpool fee: $10.00 per rider.
Need-to-know info:
- CARPOOLING: See above
- Distance: 13.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 3,100ish ft.
- Trailhead meetup time: 8:45 A.M. Hike starts shortly thereafter.
- Parking Coordinates: 38.43714,-78.36709
- Park Entry fee: $0
- Carpool Fee: $10
- Pace: 2.5 mph when moving.
- Terrain: Somewhat rocky, steep and gentle grades, two stream crossings
- Bring: Adequate water, lunch/snacks, hat, layers, basic first aid kit, map, rain gear (depending), hiking poles, hiking shoes, boot covers for the stream crossing (just to be prepared) and a good attitude.
AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/bear-church-rock-13-7-722caaf
AND FINALLY!
- Don't come if you’re not feeling well.
- Avoid the most severe, unspeakable bad karma by CHANGING YOUR RSVP if you're not able to attend within a reasonable time - not hours before - so someone on the wait list can have your spot.
Any questions? Message or call the Hike Leader: Caroline S (703)489-1315
- Fountainhead Regional Park with Views (Rating: B)Fountainhead Regional 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.
This is a 9.8 mile out-and-back hike with about 900' of elevation gain in the Fountainhead Regional Park, so this hike has a DIFFICULTY RATING of B. The trailhead is at the large parking lot at 110875 Hampton Rd, Fairfax Station, VA (38.72630, -77.32932). There have been port-a-johns at the trailhead in the past. Please arrive by 8:45 so we can get everyone parked and formed up to hike by 9am.
We will head out to the west on the Bull-Run/Occoquan Trail (with a few short bushwhacks to take in some views, otherwise it is just a green tunnel), we will do a little amateur archeology at an abandoned homestead at the turnaround point, and stop at another reservoir view for lunch.
I hike at a 2.5 MPH pace on the flats (slower uphill), and stop at all trail crossings and photo points. The trail is hilly, but not nearly as bad as most NVHC hikes further west.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Dale Johnson (540-454-5592 (off during business hours))
I will close RSVP's at 9pm the night before the hike (so you won't get promoted to the hike while you sleep), so if you need to make a change after that just message that so we are not waiting for you.
Afterparty: For those interested, we will stop at the Main Street Pub in Clifton for fluid replacement following the hike.
- Meadowlark Botanical Garden- (Rating: C)Lake Audubon Pool (Reston Association), Reston, 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 will be an "out and back" hike covering 8 miles with 469 feet of elevation gain. Meadowlark Botanical Garden is one of the true gems of Northern Virginia and features a Korean Bell Garden.
To quote from the Washington Post:
"The only Korean Bell Garden in the Western Hemisphere is the place to start: The centerpiece is a natural wooden pavilion — built entirely without nails — holding a three-ton bell, handmade in South Korea and decorated with flora and fauna. The garden also contains a mix of plants native to Korea and Virginia, protective figures carved from volcanic rock called dol hareubangs, walls decorated with images of flowers and symbols of longevity, and a koi pond with a fountain. "We'll meet in front of the Lake Audubon Pool and hike along the Cross County Trail (CCT), Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail and the Meadowlark Connector Trail to our turn around point at Meadowlark Botanical Garden where there are rest room facilities. The hike route is about 50% dirt trails with the remainder paved.
We'll stop at the Meadowlark Visitor Center where you can relax at the picnic area outside the Visitors Center, browse the exhibits or take a stroll in the Gardens (General Admission to the Garden is $4.00 for those over 55 and $8.00 for those 18-55).
We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 -3.0 mph while moving. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please note only service animals are allowed in the Garden and Visitor Center so canine hikers will have to wait outside during our stop.Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: see above description for optional stroll through the Garden
Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/lake-audubon-to-meadowlark-garden-steve-f-cf77e1f?u=i
Park on Twin Branches Road not the pool parking lot. The start point doesn't have restrooms so you may want to stop at the nearby South Lakes Shopping Center.
- Arlington National Cemetery and National Mall (Rating: B)Lyndon B Johnson Park, Washington, DC
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 9.6-mile hike with 482 feet elevation gain along the Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall. We meet and start our hike at the Lyndon B. Johnson Park. While making several stops along the hike, we hike at 2.5 - 3 miles per hour when moving, so please make sure you are comfortable with this pace and distance before signing up. Bring water and snack.
Remembrance of Our Fallen Heroes!
Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition; but in simple obedience to duty as they understood it; they suffered all, sacrificed all, dared all, and died. We hike the most sacred place to commemorate fallen heroes and celebrate the start of the Memorial Day weekend.ITINERARY
- Lyndon B. Johnson Park
- Navy - Merchant Marine Memorial
- Seabee Memorial
- Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center
- Military Women's Memorial
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Arlington House
- President John F. Kennedy Gravesite
- U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- World War II Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
TRAILHEAD / PARKING
Lyndon B Johnson Park,
GPS Coordinates: 38°52'36.5"N; Longitude: 77°03'01.3"WDOGS: Dogs are not allowed on cemetery grounds.
RATING: B
LEADER: David L 202-599-6366
FEE: None
AllTrails Map
Memorial Hike at ANC and National Mall