Scout Orienteering Championships
Briones Regional Park
Date: (Sun.) Oct. 13, 2019
Location: Lafayette, CA
Event Director: 
- 925.934.6567
Course Setter: Steve Harrison
Type: B; 27th annual Scout-O and Championships for all scout levels; PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Meet Director's and Course Setter's Notes
By Gavin Wyatt-Mair
Note: These notes are also available in this PDF file (95KB).
This is the 27th Bay Area Scout Orienteering Championships!! All scouts and non-scouts are welcome to attend, run a course, and have a generally good time! The forecast is for fine weather. It is a good area for picnics, so bring your friends and your family, and enjoy the park as well as the orienteering challenge. We will have some snacks for you to eat.
By order of the Park District: No smoking anywhere. Drive only on roads.
Courses
Navigational Physical
Course Distance Climb Controls Difficulty Difficulty
Course 1 3.4 km 150 m 10 Easy Easy
Course 2 3.4 km 160 m 11 Easy Easy
Course 3 3.5 km 260 m 12 Moderate Moderate
Course 4 4.0 km 270 m 13 Moderate Moderate
Adult Course 3.7 km 270 m 12 Moderate Moderate
Map: 1:10,000 with 7.5 m contours. There are two symbols used for distinct trees: the green o represents a distinct evergreen tree, while the green × represents a distinct deciduous tree.
The Start is about 1.4 km, with 55 m gradual climb, from the assembly area. It takes 20 to 25 minutes to walk there.
The Finish is close to the assembly area, on the way to the Start.
All courses:
- E-punch is used. Be sure to clear your finger stick before you start, and be sure to punch the START unit when you start.
- To cross fences, you may go over, under, or through wherever you like; just remember it is barbed wire. The course setter recommends going under!
- The star thistle is way down, and is not significant. Nevertheless, long pants are highly recommended, and shoes or boots with cleats or a good grip would help a lot.
- Poison oak on the courses is also minimal.
- There are plenty of cows on the courses. They won't bother you, but don't get too close to the calves, or mama cows will get upset.
- There is a steep and possibly slippery downhill slope near the end. There is a rope to help with this descent if you need it.
Miscellaneous
- There are entry coupons for the afternoon Score-O course in your registration packets. If you are doing the course, please try to submit your coupon around noon at the E-punch download station. Note that the afternoon course counts as much as the morning courses towards your Troop score.
- Remember that horses have the right of way, and try not to scare them.
- Be polite to other park users please (this is a requirement for future permits).
- There will be training clinics for those who need instruction. The first clinic is around 9:20, and they typically last 20 minutes.
- Earliest start is at 10:00, latest start at 12:30. (Be mindful of the time required to walk to the Start!)
- Bring water for yourself. The weather forecast is for a high of 74°F, partly cloudy, and no chance of rain.
- Wildlife: We have seen deer, eagles, coyote, skunks, hawks, buzzards, orienteers, turkeys, goats, cows, salamanders, and frogs.
Parking
A $3.00 charge for parking is collected at the park entry kiosk. The east dirt parking lot, south side is reserved for horse trailers. Please do not park there.
Driving Directions
Coordinates: N37.9271,W122.1578
Registration will be at the west entrance to the park, off of Bear Creek Road. To get there, take route 24 West from 680 or East from 80. Exit at Orinda, heading North on Camino Pablo. After about 2 miles, turn right onto Bear Creek Road. After about 3.5 miles, the park entrance will be on your right—it is well sign-posted. (Don’t be fooled by the parking area on the left—that’s not it, but you could park there and walk if you like.)