For this fourth and final day of the Tahoe 4-Day event, we will visit Donner Memorial State Park. There will be a smaller selection of Sprint courses, and this will be event #5 of the seven-event BAOC 2025 Summer Series.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this event, including beginners and non-members. Free beginner instruction will be available during the time shown below. Participation on other Summer Series events is not required.
Note: Event #4 in the Summer Series was on Saturday, July 26, at Northstar. The previous three events were in the Bay Area, as will be events #6 and #7.
Schedule
The following non-standard event schedule will be followed:
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Registration is open
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Beginner instruction is available (free)
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Starts are open for all the courses (1-minute start intervals)
12:30 PM: Everyone must have returned to the Finish
Note: Participants under age 18 who register at the event must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or bring with them a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. (The standard registration form is available here [12KB PDF]. Note, however, that some of the fees for this event are different than those on the form.) Note that you can register and start on the courses anytime during the open times above. Thus, for example, you do not need to be "punctual" at 9:00. (You can if you want, but please don't show up earlier and expect to be served.)
Beginner instruction is 15–20 minute, repeating sessions ("clinics") that introduce the sport of orienteering, and provide enough instruction to be able to complete the Beginner course.
Note: Beginners are given their course maps at registration. You should get your map before joining a beginner clinic. Everyone must return to the Finish by 12:30 PM, and then promptly go to the download tent, even if they have not completed their course. Please do not leave without checking in! If there are unaccounted people after 12:30, we must initiate a search for them.
Costs & Registration
Since this is a "special" event, the standard BAOC registration fees do not apply.
The prices for the Tahoe 4-day Package and for individual events are shown on the main Tahoe 4-Day event webpage. (Be sure to read the notes below the prices table.)
For this event, the Short and Long courses are considered "advanced" (although their navigation difficulty might be a bit easier).
Online registration closed at 6:00 PM PDT on July 23rd. However, registration for individual events (but not the Tahoe 4-day Package) will be available at the events.
Location of the Event
The event will be in Donner Memorial State Park, near Truckee. The driving directions are below.
The Assembly Area (Registration, E-punch, etc.) for the event will almost certainly be in a little alcove directly west of the main park visitor center — look for signs and orienteers.
Both the Start and the Finish are short walks from The Assembly Area.
Venue Facilities
There are nice indoor restroom facilities in the visitor center, but it does not open until 10 AM. If you arrive at the park before that, you will need to use the porta-potties outside. Or there are several nearby gas stations that can probably accommodate you.
At this time, we do not know if refreshments will be provided, so we suggest you bring along with you any food you might want.
What to Bring
For the Beginner course, comfortable outdoors attire and shoes are fine.
For the Short and Long courses, a steeper hillside might be a bit slippery due to dry leaves and loose dirt, so shoes with good grip are recommended. Long pants and/or gaiters should not be necessary.
A compass is not required, but can be very helpful — and can improve safety — so is recommended. We have compasses available for a $1 rental fee.
We time the courses with the SPORTident system, so each entry/team needs to have a SPORTident E-punch fingerstick. If you don't have your own, you can rent one at Registration for $5. (Use of the "E-punch" system is easy. You can learn how at the event, or read about it here.)
Courses
As usual for a Summer Series event, three courses will be available: Beginner, Short, and Long.
The Beginner course, which will be mostly on trails, will be an excellent introduction to orienteering, with beautiful surroundings as an added treat.
The Short and Long courses will be true Sprint courses, and will venture off-trail. They will be included in the respective Summer Series competitions.
Note: Participation on other Summer Series events is not required, and you're definitely free to ignore the "competitive" aspect of the Summer Series and do your course "just for fun". The final course details are below. Be sure to read the Course Setter's Notes for more information.
Course Length Climb Controls
Beginner 1.8 km 20 m 13
Short 2.0 km 35 m 18
Long 2.7 km 65 m 23
Beginners should be aware that the distances shown are the cumulative straight-line distances between controls. The climb numbers represent the amount of ascending that would be done on the "optimum route" (in the Course Setters' opinion), without regard for any descending. Because you won't travel in straight lines, and might not follow the optimum routes, your actual distance and climb will be somewhat more than what is shown above, and will depend on your route choices (and any errors you make).
Everyone should be aware that "straight-line" course lengths are given above. (Sprint events often use "best-route" course lengths.) From the assembly area to the Start is an easy 100 m walk. There is a walk of less than 200 m from the Finish back to the assembly area.
Course Setter's Early Comments
I made my first scouting trip to Donner Lake State Park today, and want to provide an update, since people will soon be starting to make summer orienteering plans, if they haven't already done so.
I lobbied for Donner Lake to be part of the Summer Series, since Beginner, Short, and Long courses will be set, just like all the other Summer Series events. However, Donner Lake will be a true Sprint, with the lengths being significantly shorter than at the other Summer Series courses.
After my visit to the park today, and I can confidently announce that the distances will be 2.0 km for the Short course, and 2.7 km for the Long course. As those of you who attended our only other BAOC event there (twelve years ago!) know, the terrain is fast and really fun, with the vast majority of the controls being at boulders two meters or larger in size. I expect the winning times on both courses to be well under 20 minutes. Both courses are quite flat by BAOC standards, but the Long course does go up and down a short, steep hill a couple of times, whereas the Short course will avoid that.
My hope is that having the event be part of the Summer Series will encourage people to attend who might be on the fence about coming to the final Tahoe event on Monday. I can guarantee you will have a good time!
– Steve Gregg
(May 26, 2025)
Hazards
Fortunately, there is no poison oak in the Sierras! 😊
However, deer ticks are found in this area, and they might carry Lyme disease. So, please be sure to check yourself carefully after the event.
You should be mindful of dehydration because the high-altitude air will be dry. That concern will be even greater if the weather is hot. So, you should consider carrying water while on your course.
Also because of the altitude, there will be increased risk of sunburn, so be sure to use plenty of quality sunscreen.
Volunteers Needed
As always, we need volunteers for this event. We have these positions available:
- Assembly Area Set Up: 8:00–9:00 (particularly appreciated 😉)
- Registration: 9:00–11:00 (e.g., answering questions; any part of the period will be helpful)
- Beginner Clinics: 9:30–11:00
- Starts: 10:00–10:45, 10:45–11:30
- Control Pickup: 2:00–3:00 (hopefully ending earlier)
Please consider volunteering to help — even part of a listed session will help! Previous experience is not needed (except for Beginner Clinics), and easy training will be provided as needed, so please don't hesitate to sign up.
Send email to Rex Winterbottom, the Event Coordinator, to indicate your interest or ask where he'd like help. Rex will respond back to you.
Driving Directions
Donner Memorial State Park is off I-80 at the west end of Truckee. The approximate coordinates are 39.3247,-120.2328.
From westbound I-80: Take exit 184 for Donner Pass Rd, and turn left onto Donner Pass Rd. After crossing I-80, go "straight" through the traffic circle. The park entrance will be on the left after 0.3 mile.
From Tahoe City: Take Highway 89 north to westbound I-80. Take the first exit and continue as described above.
From Kings Beach: Take Highway 267 north to westbound I-80. Continue as described above.
Parking
Parking will be in the lot at the park entrance, possibly with a $10 fee.
Alternative parking, free but with a longer walk to the event, will be along Donner Pass Rd west of the park entrance.