Boggs Mountain – U.S. Team Trials and "A" Meet
Date: May. 1 - 3, 2009
Location: Cobb, CA
Event Director: 
Course Setters: Vladimir Gusiatnikov, Evan Custer, George Minarik
Type: A; Full-featured "A" meet plus the 2009 U.S. Team Trials; pending park approval
Related Information
Embargo
Spring Lake County Park and Boggs Mountain State Demonstration Forest are now embargoed for anyone intending to compete in the 2009 U.S. Team Trials. Orienteers visiting these parks between October 20, 2007 and April 30, 2009 will be disqualified from the Team Trial competition.
Sanctioning Status
This event has been approved for USOF sanctioning. BAOC is applying to IOF for WRE designation for the Saturday and Sunday M21 and F21 courses.
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Event
The Bay Area Orienteering Club will be hosting the 2009 U.S. Team Trials. This will be a 3-day event. There will be a sprint on Friday, May 1, at Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa; a medium-distance course on Saturday, May 2, and a long-distance course on Sunday, May 3, both of which will be at Boggs Mountain State Demonstration Forest in Cobb, CA. The latter two events probably will be WRE events.
Santa Rosa is about 1 hour north of San Francisco, and Cobb is another hour north of Santa Rosa. The nearest airports are Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Jose.
There will also be a standard "A" meet for all classes held concurrently with the Team Trials. And there will be recreational courses available on all 3 days.
Boggs Mountain was used for the first time in October 2007, for the Western States Championships. The forest consists mostly of mature pine with excellent runnability. The climbs are moderate and very little poison oak has been spotted. The elevation range of the courses will be between 2800 and 3600 feet above sea level.
Boggs Forest (as the locals call it) is a plateau that rises above the town of Cobb. On top of this plateau are a dozen or so small hilltops of varying height. Most of the hilltops are flattish. The slopes of these small hills are mostly gradual, although at least two of the slopes are quite steep. On top of this plateau is a mostly mature pine forest consisting of ponderosa, sugar, and other pines. There is also a smattering of hardwood trees. The major ground vegetation consists of manzanita and coffeeberry bushes. Much of the ground slash has been removed, but there are some areas of extensive slash.
Bordering the plateau is terrain that drops off sharply. On these steeper border slopes the forest becomes thicker and more deciduous with oak and bay trees. The manzanita and coffeeberry ground cover thickens up, and the ground slash is more widespread. Reentrant systems appear here in the form of streams and gullies.
Rock features appear unevenly throughout the park. The northern half of the park has extensive amounts of boulder groups and rock faces. Many single boulders dot the landscape. The southern half has much less rock.
There is an extensive road and trail network throughout the park, consisting of old and new logging roads, mountain bike trails, and hiking paths.
Map
The map was field checked and drawn in OCAD in 2006 and 2007 by Vladimir Zherdev under the direction of Bob Cooley, BAOC Mapping Director. The map will be printed at 1:15000 for the Red and Blue courses, and at 1:10000 for all other courses. The contour interval is 5 meters. The map is very good.
Vegetation will be quite important. The open forest is mapped as white and is very fast. Light green is usually younger trees close together. It is also quite fast. Medium green can be forest mixed with bushes and slash. It is a slow run. Dark green is mostly mature manzanita bushes. It is sometimes impassable, but not always. The non-forest areas of bushes are mapped as two types of green vertical lines. The widely-spaced vertical lines indicate bushy areas that can easily be run through. In the areas with closely-spaced vertical lines, it takes more time and effort to get around the bushes, but these areas are also passable. The mapper has used black dots to indicate many distinct vegetation edges. The distinctness of these edges is not always evident. Plus some vegetation edges that are not bordered by black dots can appear quite distinct.
Boggs Forest is crisscrossed by an extensive network of roads and trails. But many of these tracks can be a bit hard to see, mainly due to the pine needles that cover them in various thicknesses. This is, after all, a pine forest. Every effort has been made to visit all the tracks that competitors are likely to traverse or cross on their routes. We've represented each of these on the map as either a vehicle track, a large or small footpath, an indistinct footpath, or a ride. In this assortment, a ride will appear in the forest as a very indistinct, long-abandoned track that has the width of a vehicle track. It will usually be heavily covered with pine needles. An indistinct footpath is similar, but much narrower.
The map contains a myriad of different rock features. Generally boulders over 1 meter are mapped. Some boulders under one meter are mapped. This is especially true of ones that stick out by themselves in the terrain. There are many dot knolls on the map. At least two of these are anthills (with big red ants).
Hazards
Firearms are allowed in most areas of the forest at any time, although there are no hunting seasons planned at this time. There is an informal shooting range in the Southeast area of the park. This range is occasionally used. Courses will not be set close to this range. We will hang yellow warning tape around the area in case anyone inadvertently wanders into it.
Most courses should not encounter any poison oak (PO), but there is a small amount present. In the spring, the leaves of PO are in shiny clusters of three, with varying shades of green, from reddish green to much brighter green. If you see any PO, go around it, not through it. The potency of the oils is strong at this time of year, and you will want to wash with Technu or some other cleanser if you suspect you touched a plant. Remember the motto: bright red leaves of three, let it be. If you do get a rash in 24–48 hours, it is best to treat it as soon as possible with a topical steroid cream. Do not wait and let it get into a nasty blistered rash. If you treat it early when you first begin to notice itching, and you only have some small red bumps, it is easily controlled.
The forest has been extensively thinned in some areas, and this thinning has left small, hard bush stumps that are ankle high and can trip you up if you are not careful.
There are a few metal stakes that have been left over from logging operations. These stick up about a foot above the ground. We have flagged some of these with tape, but there are probably others we didn't see.
Recreational Courses
In addition to the A-Meet courses, there will be Beginner (White and Yellow) and Intermediate (Orange) recreational courses on Saturday and Sunday. Register on the day of the event for these courses. Normal BAOC event fees apply. If you are bringing a group of 5 or more, please contact the Event Director at least 10 days prior to the event, so we can print enough maps.
E Punching
SportIdent electronic punching (E-Punch) will be used for both A-Meet and recreational courses. Rental E-Punch cards/sticks will be available at the event. Information about the use of E-Punch is available in our User's Guide.
Lodging Suggestions
Below are a few possibilities. Reservations will fill quickly, so book early. There are many other options in the towns of Calistoga, Clearlake, and Upper Lake.
Eagle & Rose Inn, Cobb (707-928-5242). $85 and up. A roadside motel 1 mile from the park entrance. Located next to the post office on the east side of Route 175.
Inn at Kelsey Creek, Cobb (707-928-0433). $125 and up. Upscale roadside cabins 1 mile from the park entrance.
Edie's Resort, Loch Lomond (707-928-5661). $55 and up. Rustic roadside cabins 3 miles from the park entrance.
Eagle & Rose Inn, Middletown (707-987-7330). $75 and up. Roadside motel 15 minutes from the park entrance.
Harbin Hot Springs, Harbin (707-987-2477). $130 and up. Famous alternative spa resort 35 minutes from the meet site. Also camping from $25.
Konocti Harbor Resort, located in Clear Lake Riviera (1-800-660-LAKE). Prices from $89 (before 10% AARP discount).
Camping Suggestions
Clear Lake State Park, 30 min. away
- We will probably reserve a group camping site, but individual sites are also available. Anyone camping outside of the group area can still come over for the campfire at night.
- The group campsite is flat and large, with a variety of trees, a fire pit and 7+ tables. There is lots of parking in a flat area. The hiking area is hilly, but our camping area is very flat. Included in our $66-a-night plus service-charge fee is parking for 8 cars and 4 RVs. Any extra cars (over the 8-car/4-RV limit) will have to pay the $6-a-night extra-car parking fee. There is room nearby for extra cars, and the ranger said that we could have 50 or so people (but not 80). There are 4 tiled flush-toilet bathrooms and 4 nice, large coin-operated tiled showers (bring quarters), just for the 2 group campsites. The individual sites are first-come first-serve that time of year.
- Others who are not staying at the park can pay the day-use fee and come in to swim and take a shower. The site is on a creek close to the lake. We've seen canoes and kayaks on the creek, but there is a "No Swimming" sign. There is a swimming area in the lake.
- For more info on the park see this Web site (http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=473). A map of the park is available here (http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/473/files/ClearlakeCampgroundMap.pdf).
Boggs Mountain Demonstration Forest
- The camping is free. You don't have to register, since it's included in our event permit. There are about 16 sites that aren't marked. You just pull up to a designated campsite and camp. There are a few tables and fire pits. You bring your own water and take out your garbage. There are 2 "outhouses". It's a beautiful site and you are right there in the orienteering area. Please camp next to a site with a picnic table in the camping area only.
- Warning: If you camp at Boggs Mountain you will not be able to wander from the campground area the day prior to or during the meet. You can, of course, drive in and out on the park road. But walking in the terrain outside of the campground area may result in a disqualification. Also, we will be using the campgrounds for the event parking, so you probably will be asked to share your campsite with some cars.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, about 10 minutes away
- This is a KOA-type park. They have tent sites, water, RV sites with hookups, laundry, playground, camping cabins without kitchens, etc. You can go over to Yogi Bear's and take a shower for $5. www.jellystonecobbmtn.com
Event Officials
- Event Director – To Be Announced
- Asst Event Director for Spring Lake – Scott Aster
- Friday Sprint Courses Designer (Spring Lake) – Vladimir Gusiatnikov
- Friday Model-Event Course Designer ( Boggs Mountain) – George Minarik
- Saturday Middle Courses Designer (Boggs Mountain) – Evan Custer
- Sunday Long Courses Designer (Boggs Mountain) – George Minarik
- IOF Event Controller – Vladimir Gusiatnikov
- Teams Trials Course Consultant – Eric Weyman
- U.S. Team Liaison – Wyatt Riley
- Registrar – Steve Beuerman
- Map Coordinator – Bob Cooley
Driving Directions
Spring Lake County Park, Santa Rosa
To get to the south entrance: Take U.S. Highway 101 north to Santa Rosa. Once in Santa Rosa, exit onto highway 12 going east. Follow highway 12 for 1.5 miles to its left turn at Farmer's Lane. Do not take this turn, but instead, continue straight onto Hoen Avenue. At the Hoen-Summerfield traffic light 1.5 miles later, continue straight, then take an immediate left onto Newanga Avenue. Newanga leads into Spring Lake County Park. At the ranger's kiosk, make a right and go up the hill to the Oak Knoll Picnic Area.
Public Transit: From the Santa Rosa Transit Mall at 2nd and B Street, take Santa Rosa City bus # 2 (departures on the hour) to the intersection of Summerfield and Hoen.
Boggs Mountain State Demonstration Forest, Cobb
Traffic Warning: Friday afternoon and evening traffic on CA 29 through Napa Valley and US 101 to Santa Rosa is quite heavy. Give yourself at least another hour to get through this. Better yet, try to drive up early in the day.
From San Francisco via Santa Rosa
This is usually the fastest SF route:
- Drive north on US-101 through Santa Rosa.
- Exit at River Road/Mark West Road.
- Turn right on Mark West Springs Road. This road becomes Porter Creek Road after about 5 miles, and eventually ends at a flashing red light after another 4 miles.
- Turn left onto Petrified Forest, following signs for Calistoga, for approx. 5 miles.
- Turn left onto Foothill Blvd/CA-128, and drive less than a mile.
- Turn right onto Tubbs Lane, and drive for 1.3 miles.
- Turn left onto CA-29, driving 15 miles into Middletown. (This is a curvy, mountainous road.)
- After you arrive in Middletown, turn left onto Hwy 175.
- Drive 7 miles to Cobb.
- About 1 mile past the center of Cobb turn right onto Forestry Rd. (This is a small road at the end of a sharp bend. There is a blue sign that says CDF Fire Station.)
- Follow O' signs for about a mile. The road becomes dirt as you pass the ranger station. Park at the campgrounds.
From the East Bay via Napa Valley
- Take I-80 east past the town of Vallejo.
- Exit at Marine World Parkway/CA-37 toward Napa, and drive 2.5 miles.
- Exit Right on CA-29, driving for 39 miles to Calistoga.
- (Once in the Napa Valley, you have the option of taking the scenic Silverado Trail instead of the traffic-heavy CA-29. Turn right to leave CA-29 at Trancas, then turn left onto Silverado heading north. You will turn right onto CA-29 just north of Calistoga.)
- Turn Right on CA-29 through the town of Calistoga, driving 18 miles to Middletown. (This is a curvy, mountainous road.)
- After you arrive in Middletown, turn left onto Hwy 175.
- Drive 7 miles to Cobb.
- About 1 mile past the center of Cobb turn right onto Forestry Rd. (This is a small road at the end of a sharp bend. There is a blue sign that says CDF Fire Station.)
- Follow O' signs for about a mile. The road becomes dirt as you pass the ranger station. Park at the campgrounds.
From Sacramento
- Drive North on I-5 for 58 miles to the town of Williams.
- Exit West on CA-20 for 37 miles.
- Turn Left onto CA-53, though Clearlake.
- Drive 8 miles south and make a right onto Hwy 29.
- Drive 2 miles and make a left onto Seigler Canyon Rd
- Drive 10 miles and make a left onto Hwy 175.
- Drive 2 miles and make a left onto Forestry Rd. (This is a small road. There is a blue sign that says CDF Fire Station.)
- Follow O' signs for about a mile. The road becomes dirt as you pass the ranger station. Park at the campgrounds.
Arriving By Shuttle or Bus
The new Aero Shuttle & Charter (http://aeroshuttleservice.com/rates_schedules.htm) offers shuttle service to Middletown from Sacramento International Airport. Reservations required: 707-987-1920 or toll free 1-888-987-AERO (2376).
The Sonoma County Airport Express (http://www.airportexpressinc.com) offers transport from San Francisco Airport and Oakland Airport to Santa Rosa. Call 1-800-327-2024 or 707-837-8700 for details.
Golden Gate Transit (http://goldengatetransit.org) offers service to Santa Rosa from four downtown San Francisco locations.