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. Poles may be useful.
The weather forecast for Thursday shows cool weather, up to 50F, and a sizeable chance for rain in the afternoon, when we should be back. 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)
- Robertson Mountain (Rating: A)Old Rag Parking (Ranger Station), Etlan, 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 hike is ~8 miles with an elevation gain of ~2400 ft .
We meet at the Old Rag Parking lot and proceed up Weakly Hollow Fire Rd to the Roberson Mountain Trail, which we climb up to the top where we'll have lunch. After lunch we follow this trail down to its end at the Old Rag Fire Road. We follow this Fire Road for a short distant to the Corbin Hollow Trail. Corbin Hollow trail follows Brokenback Run which we must cross just before we get to the Weakly Hollow Fire Rd. We then walk back down to the Old Rag Parking Lot.
Difficulty Rating: A
With a distance of 8 miles and a large elevation gain, this gives a rating distance of 8 + 2400/400 or 14 equivalent miles which is an A hike. https://nvhc.com/hikeinfo/ratings/We'll hike at a pace of ~2.5 mi/hr when moving.
Leader: Harvey Haines
Map of the hike:
pdf map
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GbHUy6eIZYH2VZi_vGnN5DDhbfv2ZLNP/view?usp=sharing
GAIA-GPS interactive map
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.5/-78.3213/38.5760&layer=GaiaTopoRasterFeet&popupLoc=-78.32998/38.57338Driving time to trail head: 1 hour 25 min from Centreville Park & Ride.
Park Entry Fee: $30/car
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Because the Robertson Mountain trail is one of the steepest trails in the park with an elevation gain of 1600 ft in 1.6 miles, you must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain to go on this hike.
- Manassas Battlefield (Rating: C)Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitor Center, Manassas, 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.
Rating: C. Nine miles and 500 feet of elevation gain. We hike at a pace of about 2.5 mph when moving.
There are restrooms at the start at the Visitors Center.
The hike is a clockwise loop incorporating the Second and First Battles of Manassas trails. We will have a lunch/snack break at the Stone Bridge.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Dane Luck (C) 703.850.3266
Park Entry Fee: $0.
Parking GPS Coordinates: 38.8128288, -77.5210111
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
- Fountainhead Regional Park - Wolf Run Shoals (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.
8 mile out and back lariat hike with 951 feet of elevation gain.
This hike is just over the C hike rating.Description:
Join us for a scenic hike along Bull Run and in the adjoining forest. We will hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from Fountainhead Regional Park to Wolf Run Shoals and back. There are rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a fun workout!Hiking Pace:
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.There are porta-johns at the trailhead at Fountainhead Park parking lot.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. For the hills, hiking poles if you use them. Recommend insect repellent. Most of the hike is in the forest canopy.WHERE TO MEET:
After pulling into Fountainhead Park (10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax, VA), continue driving in on Fountainhead Access Rd, past the maintenance building on the right. The large parking lot is the next turn; it's on the right. Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am. GPS 38.72483, -77.33010Fee: There is no parking fee.
Dogs are welcome.
NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyBull Run Occoquan Trail:
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-occoquan-trailOptional post-hike rehydration at Bunnyman Brewing Cafe in Lorton.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
