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Huddart Park

Date: (Sat.) Oct. 24, 2015
Location: Woodside, CA
Event Director: - 650.941.4184
Course Setter: Mark Prior
Type: B; Come see what fun/challenge we have for you at this beautiful redwoods park

Related Event Information

Course Setter's Notes Last Year's Event Event Results

Please note that fees and time limits apply. Events are typically not canceled due to bad weather.


October 16th update:

We are just eight days away from the Saturday, Oct. 24th event at Huddart Park (http://parks.smcgov.org/huddart-park) in Woodside, and I want to encourage you to come on out! Huddart is a very pleasant and interesting place; if you've never been there, give it a try this year. We will have all seven courses on offer, and Mark Prior has done a great job setting in this smallish but challenging venue. See how you do in the redwood forest!
We could still use some volunteer help, so if you're interested and/or willing please let know. We have needs for starts, beginner clinics, and of course control pickup. E-punch and registration could probably use a few volunteers as well.
Here are a few event notes:
  • There will be a walk of 1.5 km along a rather flat, shaded, dirt road to the Orange and advanced Start. The beginner (White and Yellow course) Start will be very close to the registration area. (Make sure you go to the correct Start.)
  • Brown runners will have to cross Kings Mountain road, and may also choose to travel along it for a short distance. This is not a particularly dangerous road, but do exercise caution and good judgment; be aware not only of cars, but also bikes speeding downhill. (The road crossing resulted from our trying to achieve reasonable Brown length and physical difficulty.)
  • Remember to bring exact change for the $6 park fee, in case the ranger kiosk is not staffed​—​in which case you will need to put money in an envelope.
  • As you're driving to the park, be aware that Highway 84 is known as a speed trap where it passes through Woodside​—​the speed limit is 25 mph.
Hope to see you there!
–


BAOC returns to the dramatic redwood forests of Huddart Park (http://parks.smcgov.org/huddart-park) on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains above Woodside. We will offer all seven standard courses, so there will be something for everyone from beginners to advanced orienteers. The usual event schedule and fees will be in effect, and electronic punching will be used (see below for details).

Huddart is a steep park. Beginner courses will be entirely on trails, but they can be steep. The advanced courses will go cross country​—​up, down, and across steep slopes.

We will be based at the Werder Picnic Shelter. Parking, registration, the Start (for beginner courses), Finish, picnic tables, restrooms, and a kids' playground are all nearby.

Huddart is popular with equestrians, and it is mandatory that all runners yield the right of way to horses. If you encounter people on horseback, you must stand by the side of the trail and let them go by. If you are about to emerge from the woods onto a trail, look and listen for horses first, and wait if they are nearby.

There are likely to be hikers and other group events in the area. Please be considerate of them, too.

Please note that no dogs are allowed in the park.

More information will be available closer to the event.

What is Orienteering?

An adventure! Discover the outdoors and discover yourself! Navigate to checkpoints in Huddart Park using a specially-produced map. Participants may enter individually or in teams of up to five people. All are welcome at our events​—​runners, joggers, hikers, and walkers.

Schedule

The standard event fees will apply (see below).
You may print and fill out an entry form (PDF/91KB) in advance if you wish (which may save time if you are bringing a large group). Complete one form for each team of people going on a course together.
These short, repeating introductions to orienteering provide enough information to complete a beginner (White) course.
Note that you can register and start on courses anytime between the open and close times above. Thus, for example, you do not need to be "punctual" at 9:00 (but you can if you want).
Everyone must check in at the Start to be assigned a start time, so participants are spaced out (at least at the Start).
Everyone must report to the Finish by 2:00 even if you haven't completed your course, so we can have everyone accounted for and start checkpoint pick-up on time so those volunteers can get home

After you finish, enjoy free snacks and refreshments, and socialize with other participants!

Costs

  $3 for juniors on beginner's and advanced beginner's courses
  $8 for adults on beginner's and advanced beginner's courses
  $5 for juniors on intermediate and advanced courses  
$12 member price for intermediate and advanced courses
$18 non-member price for intermediate and advanced courses
  $1 for a compass rental (optional)  
  $5 for an electronic finger stick rental (optional, each team needs one to complete the course)
$15 for the lowest-cost individual one-year BAOC membership (optional)  
  $6 per vehicle parking fee collected by the park at the entrance gate  

For extra people on a team, add $7 per adult for intermediate and advanced courses or $5 per adult on beginners' courses (with lower prices for juniors).

More information about event pricing is available in the club FAQ.

Courses

Here are the course details: 

     Course     Length     Climb    Controls
     White      2.2 km      30 m       10  
     Yellow     2.6 km      50 m       11
     Orange     4.8 km     280 m       13
     Brown      2.8 km     120 m       12
     Green      4.0 km     140 m       16
     Red        6.2 km     350 m       21
     Blue       7.0 km     400 m       24

Be sure to read the Course Setter's Notes for more information.

Beginners should note that the course distances are measured along the straight lines between controls. You might not be able to, or want to, travel along those straight lines, and you might make mistakes, so your actual distance will likely be longer. The climb numbers represent the amount of ascending that would be done on the "optimum route" (in the Course Setter's opinion), without regard for any descending.

What to Bring

For beginners' courses, comfortable outdoors attire and shoes are fine.

For intermediate and advanced courses, leg cover or gaiters are recommended, as well shoes with some extra grip on the sole.

A compass is not necessary, but can be helpful. We have compasses available for a $1 rental fee.

We time the courses with the SPORTident system, so a SPORTident finger stick is required for each team. You can rent one for $5. (Use of the "E-punch" system is easy. You can learn how at the event, or read about it here.)

Venue Facilities

Note that there is a $6 park entrance fee. You will need exact cash if the entry kiosk is not staffed.

Picnic tables, piped water, and flush toilets are available, so please feel free to bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy after you finish your course.

Please note that no dogs are allowed in the park.

Location within the Park

Registration and clinics will be held at the Werder Picnic Shelter (see directions below).

Volunteers

Help is always needed and appreciated. We will need people to run beginners clinics, purchase snacks and/or keep the snack table tidy, do starts, do registration, do control pick-up, and other things. Please contact the if you would like to help. Thanks.

Also, note that the is seeking a "course vetter" to visit flagged control locations in the week before the event. This is a great chance to enjoy time in the redwoods, and work on your navigation technique off the clock.

Driving Directions

From the Bayshore Freeway (US 101) or Interstate 280 on the Peninsula, go west on Highway 84 (Woodside Road). About a mile past 280, you will come to a stop sign at the intersection of Mountain Home, Cañada Road, and Woodside Road (near Roberts Market). (Heed the 25 mph speed limit in Woodside!) Continue straight for 0.7 miles to Kings Mountain Road. Turn right (northwest) and follow Kings Mountain Road for 2.1 miles to the park entrance. Pay your fee at the entrance station and follow the park signs to the Werder Picnic Shelter. Park in any of the designated areas along the road.

There is a park entry fee of $6 per vehicle. If the entry kiosk is not staffed, you must use a self-service process nearby (which involves putting exact cash in an envelope).

There's a map here that shows the location of the event.