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Joaquin Miller Park

Event #1 of 6 in the BAOC 2022 Summer Series

Date: (Sun.) Jun. 5, 2022
Location: Oakland, CA
Event Director: - 510.407.1876
Course Setters: Tom de Vre, Theo Verhoeven
Type: C; This is the first event of the 2022 Summer Series. Beginners are welcome!

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


June 4th Update

Come one come all! It looks like it will be a nice, cool day tomorrow​—​ideal orienteering weather! Meet us at the lovely Redwood Glen picnic area in a shady redwood grove.

If you have trouble finding parking, there is also a parking lot (“Redwood Bowl Staging Area”) about 0.3 miles north of the assembly area, just past a building. Just be careful walking along the road.

And yes, if you can volunteer, we could really use some more help, especially between 11:30 and 12:30.

I'll even put on a fluorescent yellow shirt, so you can find me for questions or, of course, to volunteer.

– Vicki Woolworth, Event Director, 510-407-1876

May 31st Update

Course Setter's Notes are here, online registration is open (for the full Summer Series or just this event), and ... it would be great to have some more volunteers so it isn't mostly a self-serve event.

Help would be especially appreciated from 9 to 10:30​—​still plenty of time after that to run your course. Or from 11:30 to 12:30, to make sure everyone gets out on their courses.

See you soon! (And good luck to everyone who is headed to PNWOF or other fun events.)

– Vicki Woolworth, Event Director, 510-407-1876


This event will be the first event in the 2022 Summer Series. However, we want to emphasize that everyone is welcome to come out and do any (or more than one) of the courses, regardless of whether or not you plan to attend later Summer Series events.

Joaquin Miller Park is a busy park with varied users: many picnickers, hikers, mountain bikers, runners, and many more will be enjoying the redwood groves, oak hillsides, and shaded paths. If you have time, you can walk the redwood grove at adjacent Roberts Regional Park, or explore the house and other historic artifacts of the legacy of Joaquin Miller.

Schedule

    9:00 AM – 11:59 AM: Registration open
    9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Beginners clinic instruction (free)
  10:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Starts are open for all courses
                    2:00 PM: Courses close, checkpoint control pick-up begins

At registration, all juniors must be accompanied by parents or legal guardians, or bring with them a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian (the registration form is available here (PDF/12KB)).

Note that you can register and start on the courses anytime during the open times above. Thus, for example, you do not need to be “punctual” at 9:00 (but you can if you want, but please don’t show up earlier and expect to be served).

Beginners clinics are 15–20 minute, repeating sessions that introduce the sport of orienteering, and provide enough instruction to be able to complete the beginner (White) course.

Note that you must return to the Finish by 2:00 PM, and then go to the download tent, even if you have not finished your course. Please do not leave without checking in! If there are unaccounted people after 2:00, we must initiate a search for them.

After you finish, stick around and socialize with other participants!

Costs and Registration

Note: There is a special Summer Series Discount Package for BAOC members that is described here.

The following fees apply at this event:

  $3 for each junior on the beginner (White) course
  $8 for each adult on the beginner course
  $5 for each junior on the Short or Long course  
$15 for each member on the Short or Long course
$20 for each non-member on the Short or Long course
  $1 for a compass rental (optional)  
  $5 for an E-punch fingerstick rental (if you don’t own one; each group will need one to complete their course)
$15 (and up) for one-year BAOC membership (optional)  

More information about event pricing is available in the club FAQ. All the prices are also shown on the standard entry form (PDF/12KB), which you can print and fill out in advance to save some time at the event. (You will need one entry form for each group of people going on a course together.)

Notes:
  • At the event, we can accept payment by cash or check (but no electronic payments).
  • Juniors are age 8 through 20 (under age 8 is free).
  • There is no charge for a second course (but you must end up paying for the more expensive course​—​i.e., advanced after beginner).
  • Members of other orienteering clubs can pay the “member” fee. (We hope your club would do the same for our members. 🙂)

Optional Online Registration

Online registration has closed, but you can still register at the event.

It is still possible to register for the Summer Series Discount Package, but if you sign up for that now, you will not be registered for this event. So you will need to go to the Registration and E-punch tables before going to the Start.

Notes:
  • Online registration is not required​—​you can register at the event. Individuals might want to register in advance to simplify check-in at the event.
  • The Summer Series Discount Package is available only to club members.
  • You can see who is registered here (https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/a40/reglist/home/joaquinmiller2022) (but keep in mind that others will register at the event and through the Summer Series Discount Package).

Venue Facilities

The event center will be at the Redwood Glen Picnic Area. Registration and E-punch sign-in/download will be located here, with the Start and Finish nearby. Driving directions are provided below.

There are picnic tables there with piped water and a toilet nearby, so please feel free to bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy after you finish your course.

Note: We will not provide food or water at the event. So, bring any snacks you will want to eat after your run. You can either bring your own water or fill your water bottle from the taps.

What to Bring

For the beginner (White) course, comfortable outdoors attire and shoes are fine.

Hiking boots or sturdy running shoes are recommended for the advanced courses. Also, long pants and/or gaiters are suggested for the advanced courses.

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

We time the courses with the SPORTident system, so each entry/team needs to have a SPORTident fingerstick. If you don’t have your own, you can rent one at registration for $5. (Use of the “E-punch” system is easy. You can learn how at the event, or read about it here.)

All participants should plan to carry their own water when running a course. There will be water only at one control location on the Long course; none on the other courses. Piped water is available at the event center.

Courses

The preliminary course statistics are below. Be sure to read the Course Setters’ Notes for more information.

    Course             Distance    Climb   Controls   Navigation
    Beginner (White)    1.7 km      60 m     10       Beginner  
    Short               3.1 km     150 m     13       Advanced  
    Long                5.2 km     320 m     18       Advanced

Beginners should be aware that the distances shown are the cumulative straight-line distances between controls. 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. Because you won’t travel in straight lines, and might not follow the optimum routes, your actual distance and climb will be somewhat more than what is shown above, and will depend on your route choices (and any errors you make).

Hazards

Poison Oak: Participants on all except the beginner (White) course will encounter some poison oak, which you will want to avoid. It looks like this. Washing clothes and shoes and bathing exposed skin with dish-washing soap or a commercial product such as Tecnu is recommended to remove the irritant oil.

Ticks: Ticks are found in this area and may carry Lyme disease. Be sure to check yourself after completing your course.

Possible Hazards

Horses are occasionally present at this park. Horses always have the right of way. If you encounter a horse, you must stop running and respond to the rider’s direction.

Request for Volunteers

We can’t make this event happen without your help! Please help make this event a success by volunteering​—​even helping for part of a shift listed below will be helpful.

Please contact Vicki Woolworth, the Event Director, if you can help (, 510.407.1876).

Driving Directions

From Highway 13 in Oakland take the Joaquin Miller Road exit east onto Joaquin Miller Road. In 1.2 miles, turn left onto Skyline Drive. In 1.0 mile, the Redwood Glen Trail Head will be on your left. The approximate coordinates for this spot are 37.8140,-122.1768.

The paved path to the picnic area will be streamered.

Parking

Please carpool if possible, since parking might be limited.

There is limited parking along Skyline Drive. The parking lot for Roberts Park is 0.1 miles south, with a $5 fee (or free if you are an East Bay Regional Parks Foundation member, $60/year).