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- Catlett Mountain Loop (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'll walk on the road to the Nicholson Hollow trailhead, and quickly come upon 2 water crossings with large rocks to hop (the Hughes River, and Brokenback Run). We will follow Nicholson Hollow Trail along the Hughes River for about 2 miles until we reach the intersection with Hannah Run Trail where we will turn right and continue our gentle ascent. After about 1.7 miles, we will make a short descent to Hannah Run followed by a short but very steep climb back out to the ridge. At the top of the ridge, the Hannah Run Trail will wind through a plateau on Catlett Mountain for 0.4 miles and arrive at the intersection of the Catlett Mountain Trail. We will turn right on Catlett Mountain Trail and follow it as it descends into a hollow and passes a campsite and creek in 1.0 miles. From the creek and campsite, the Catlett Mountain Trail will gently climb to the intersection of the Hazel Mountain Trail in another 0.2 miles. We will turn right on Hazel Mountain Trail for 0.5 miles to the intersection of the Hot-Short Mountain Trail where we will turn right. We will follow Hot Short Mountain Trail as it descends somewhat steeply for about 2 miles to the Nicholson Hollow Trail. We turn left, retracing our steps, and reach the parking lot in just under 2 miles.
Leader: Maryellen Trevisan (202-730-5314)
Rating: A
Pace: Between 2.5 and 3 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 7:30am. 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 designated for buses/trailers)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BCzG3Nd236YSjQ3t5Hike Start Time: 9AM
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.
- DC and Maryland 30-Mile Bike Ride (Rating: Moderately difficult ride; fun)3701 Howard Ave, Kensington, MD
*** New 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: 30 mi. ELEVATION: 800 feet. PACE: 8 mi/hr.
DESCRIPTION
Join us for a ride through the picturesque bike trails in Washington DC, along Rock Creek, and through the Maryland neighborhoods. If you are planning on bike events such as the Five Boro in NYC, this would be a good practice ride to test out equipment. Starting at the Kensington, MD MARC Station lot, we will follow Kensington Parkway and then Rock Creek Trail upstream to Grosvenor Lane, where we will switch over to the Bethesda Trolley Trail and ride it to downtown Bethesda. After a quick optional stop, we will ride the Capital Crescent Trail to Georgetown. We will stop at a restaurant on K Street for lunch - bring money ($20?). We will continue our ride along Water Street to pick up Rock Creek Trail at the other (east) end of Georgetown. We will ride along the Rock Creek Trail and Beach Drive (closed for car traffic) to the Maryland border and continue along Rock Creek Trail and Kensington Parkway back to our starting point. Helmets required; we will minimize riding with cars and stick to the paved bike trails. Speed will be SLOW (8 miles/hour) - sorry.PARKING
On Saturdays the MARC parking lot to the south of the station (access from Howard Ave) is CLOSED for the farmers' market; you need to park in the North lot accessed from Metropolitan Ave. If you get to the lot a few minutes early you can enjoy a pastry, coffee, or a "morning kick" (fruit juice) at the farmers' market prior to the ride.DOGS
Not applicable.CARPOOLS
Not applicable. - Antietam National Battlefield - Bloody Lane and Beyond (Rating: B)Carderock Recreation Area, Potomac, MD
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 circuit hike with 700 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for the opportunity to better experience the rural landscape of one of America's best preserved battlefields by hiking a combination of some of Antietam's beautifully maintained trails. There are several rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a nice workout without a lot of elevation gain.Antietam, was the scene of the deadliest one-day battle in American military history which included an horrific battle on what is now called Bloody Lane Trail.
Carpools:
Meet at the Carderock Recreation Area (main picnic area parking lot) , GPS Coordinates: 38.97112, -77.19842 . The leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location is about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Plan on leaving the carpool location at 8:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $7.00Trailhead:
If you are going directly to the trailhead, meet at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center at 9:30am. GPS Coordinates: 39.474278, -77.744583
https://goo.gl/maps/z2N6nCSqT7G7nHXu8Neither 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.
Park Entry Fee: $20 per car. Free with National Park Pass. Military and veterans are also eligible to enter free by showing military/veteran ID.
https://themilitarywallet.com/military-free-admission-national-parks/
Show your pass at the Visitor Center desk.The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are restrooms at the Visitor Center, but nothing else beyond that. We will stop for lunch about halfway through the hike.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are a few rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them. Insect repellent and sunscreen.Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
NOTE:
If you going directly to the trailhead, the hike starts at 9:30am at Antietam Visitor Center. Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:30am.Post-hike rehydration: Potomac Ridge Brewing
Any questions, please message me on Meetup or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
- 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 now open for the 2025 spring migration season! The skilled bird banding crew will be there from 7am-noon. We may even get the opportunity to release a bird back into the wild ourselves, like last year.
The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge supports 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. It's a popular spot for eagle viewing.
*The Refuge has a 9 person limit on groups, unless you are able to acquire a permit in advance for 10+. I will increase the amount of spots if we are able to secure a free permit. If not, I'll try to offer a second hike during the banding season. Due to the limited number of spots, please only sign up if you are fairly certain that you can make it, and check that you aren't double booked on another hike that day. Thanks.
Please arrive by 8:15 am to sign in. Please note that we will NOT be parking at the Visitor Center (they don't open until 10am).MEET: Occoquan National Wildlife Refuge 14050 Dawson Beach Rd. Woodbridge, VA. Please arrive by 8:15 am to check in.
DISTANCE: 5 miles flat on dirt trails, with lovely water views.
PACE: 2.5-3 mph/while moving
DOGS: Dogs are not permitted inside the refuge
FEE: $0.00
RESTROOMS: Portable restrooms at the start.
LEADER: Kris N. (618) 623-2484
