We return to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, a large area of open grasslands and deep forested canyons straddling the San Andreas Fault. Since this is the weekend after the Golden Goat, course-setter Syd Reader and I plan to make this a Short-O. Don't think that makes it easy, though! A Short-O course is defined to be 80% of a standard course, which makes for shorter legs, with quicker navigational choices. Given the limited trail network, White and Yellow courses will be of standard length. Electronic punching will be used for advanced courses.
Course statistics:
controls length climb White 9 1.8 km 130 m Yellow 10 1.9 km 130 m Orange 13 3.1 km 250 m Brown 10 2.4 km 210 m Green 13 3.0 km 240 m Red 14 4.0 km 290 m Blue 16 5.0 km 380 mWhite and Yellow will have a short off-trail streamered leg, so be prepared by wearing long pants.
Poison oak is present in many areas, as are yellow jackets. Please clean your shoes before and after the meet to avoid spreading Sudden Oak Death Syndrome.
Alternate route choices include Highway 9 from Saratoga or Highway 92 to Skyline Road.
Dogs are not allowed in either Monte Bello or Skyline OSP.