Knowland Park
Date: (Sun.) Mar. 21, 2010
Location: Oakland, CA
Event Director: 
- 650.302.4835
Course Setter: Jim Fish
Type: C; Beginner, Orange, Brown, and Sprint courses
Course Setter's Notes
By
Welcome
We hope that you will come out and enjoy the day with us. Please invite your family, friends and co-workers to join us. Would you like to stay after you finish your course to visit the refreshment table?
Parking for the event is past the Zoo entrance, at the extreme, northeast, upper lot. Please allow 10 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the registration/clinic area. There is a 200-foot trail climb from the parking lot to the start area.
The BAOC electronic punching (EP) system will be used for this event. Bring your own e-stick (also called a memory stick, or "chip"), or rent one at the event ($3). We invite “runners†to do two courses (at no extra charge) if they have the time and energy.
On a clear day, at the higher elevations, there is nearly a 180-degree view of the Bay Area. Take some time to enjoy it. Some flowers are blooming. The “spring†grasses will be high in some areas, so you will get wet from the dew on the grasses (except for the White course, which stays on trails). If it has been raining close to the event date, you might also get muddy. Cleats are recommended on the advanced courses due to the amount of climb ? and mud if it has been raining.
Courses
The following five courses are offered (these are updated details):
Course Length Climb % Climb Controls
White 2.1 km 240 feet, 73 m 3.5% 9 Yellow 2.4 km 260 feet, 79 m 3.3% 13 Sprint 2.5 km 280 feet, 85 m 3.4% 15 Orange 2.7 km 340 feet, 103 m 4.0% 13 Brown 4.3 km 820 feet, 266 m 6.2% 17
The lengths are measured along straight lines between controls — your actual distance will be longer.
Here are some additional comments about the courses:
White: This is a beginner's/youth course that stays on trails. For scouts, this course is considered Course 1. For scouts who have to measure the height of a tall object, there is a very tall Eucalyptus tree on the hill northwest of the second control.
Yellow: An advanced beginner's course that goes "cross country" on some legs. Trails can be used to re-locate, and taking bearings will be beneficial. For scouts, this course is considered Course 2. For scouts who need to measure the height of a tall object, there is a very tall Eucalyptus at the second control.
Sprint: A special course that emphasizes speed and quick decisions related to bearings and navigation through/around obstacles. Running or walking is a participant's choice, of course. For scouts, this course is considered Course 4. For scouts who need to measure the height of a tall object, there is a very tall Eucalyptus tree on the hill northwest of the second control.
Orange: This is an intermediate course. For scouts, this course is considered Course 3. For scouts who need to measure the height of a tall object, there is a very tall Eucalyptus tree on the hill between controls 2 and 3.
Brown: This is an advanced course, which should be attempted only by people with significant prior orienteering experience. Cleats are recommended. Adventure Racers might like to try this course to practice navigating as a team.
Map Comments
Not all trees or shrubs are mapped. Green dots can indicate small trees or shrubs. Green circles can represent single trees or a couple trees that are close together (a copse). The canopy of trees can be mapped as white or as a cluster of single trees. Not all areas with shrubs or poison oak have been thoroughly mapped. The Brown course especially has legs through such areas.
Due a tree disease affecting the park, there are more fallen trees than shown on the map.
There are surveyor's flags in some areas on the Yellow, Orange, and Brown courses. These have nothing to do with the orienteering courses.
Hazards
Poison oak (PO) is leafing and abundant in some areas, so be aware. There is no PO on the White course, and it's avoidable on the Yellow course. You will probably contact PO on the Sprint and Orange courses. There is unavoidable contact on the Brown course. Pre- and post-treatment for PO is recommended.
The height of PO plants varies from a few inches to a few feet. The plants are generally around other vegetation such as trees and bushes, and in re-entrants. They can be scattered as single plants or in various-size clusters.
The recently updated map allows us to use the eastern part of the park. The Brown course crosses Golf Links Road twice. This is a residential road with minimal traffic, but be aware. There will be "Watch for Runners" signs on the road, but no crossing guards. Be safe.
Last fall, there were marijuana growers using a clearing in a wooded area near the bare hilltop northeast of Golf Links Road. Be aware: there are wires still strung between trees, plus hoses and empty plant containers in the area. Be safe.
Additional Comments
The advanced courses have been vetted by Bruce Wolfe, who offered constructive suggestions to slightly decrease climb and avoid some of the patches of poison oak (but definitely not all of it). He thought that the Brown course came close to being classified as Green due to the amount of climb.
Yes, there is poison oak on the Sprint, Orange, and Brown courses, so come prepared (long-sleeved shirts and gaiters or long pants). As noted earlier, PO on the Sprint and Orange courses is mostly avoidable. Contact is definitely likely on the Brown course. The PO is leafing rapidly with bright green and red leaves. Plants vary in size from single plants a few inches high to "bushes" several feet high. There are also clusters of various size. Note that the grass is high in many areas of the park.
Come out, rain or shine. If it's been raining, expect muddy trails and "swampy" low areas. Wear shoes you expect to get dirty/wet/muddy!
Enjoy!
Jim Fish
Course Setter