Big Basin Redwoods State Park 2005

Aug 14, 2005 (Sun)

BAOC

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Boulder Creek, CA

Course Setters: Nick Corsano , Anneliese Steuben

Type B: Regular local. Generally provides the standard seven courses (White, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Green, Red, Blue)

Standard 7 courses, plus Adventure Race (Long Orange) course

Sheltered by glorious redwood trees from the blazing August sun and/or inclement raindrops in the waning summer, Big Basin is an incredible place to be (and to orienteer!) — rain or shine! The first park to be dedicated in the state system, Big Basin celebrated its 100-year anniversary (as a state park) in 2002. Sold to the government by Henry L. Middleton, the park was only 3,800 acres in its infancy. Now spanning 20,000 acres, its borders range from the ocean at Waddell Creek State Beach to Castle Rock State Park, and connects via hiking trails to Skyline Drive.

On Sunday, August 14, course-setter Nick Corsano will delight intermediate and advanced orienteers with his selection of the lesser-used park area in the eastern end of Big Basin. For beginners, course-setter Anneliese Steuben will offer White and Yellow courses near the registration area, where participants can enjoy the scenery of a creek and old stands of redwoods. No one will be disappointed with the park's offerings.

Here are the mostly final course statistics:

Course    Controls  Length   Climb   Tech. Diff.      Physical Difficulty

White        10     2.0 km    25 m   Beginner         Easy
Yellow       11     2.7 km    85 m   Adv. Beginner    Moderate
Orange       10     3.1 km   220 m   Intermediate     Moderate
AR Orange    13     4.0 km   280 m   Intermediate     Moderate
Brown         9     2.8 km   220 m   Advanced         Moderate
Green        13     3.8 km   290 m   Advanced         Moderately Strenuous
Red          18     4.7 km   380 m   Advanced         Strenuous
Blue         23     6.7 km   510 m   Advanced         Very Strenuous

NOTE FOR THE INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED COURSES: There will be a minor shuttle ride to the base of a 10-20 minute walk up to the Start. The drive is only about two miles, and not on windy roads! (The walk to the Start will be a good warm up, and the good news, of course, is that the Finish is then downhill!) If you don't want a cool-down walk back to the registration area after you've completed your course, there will also be shuttles to return you to the main parking lot.

Random Notes ↑

  • Registration opens at 9:00 am and runs until noon. Standard fees will apply.
  • Short beginner clinics will be available from 9:30 to 10:30 am.
  • Starts are available from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.
  • Courses close at 2:00 pm (all participants must be back & checked in by then).
  • E-punching will be used on the intermediate and advanced courses.
  • Rental compasses and e-punch sticks will be available.
  • Poison oak is out there, but not in abundance.

Questions? ↑

See the Frequently Asked Questions pages on the BAOC website; contact the event director (see above), or Big Basin Redwoods State Park at (831) 338-8880; or visit the California State Parks website.

We're looking forward to seeing you out there!

Driving Directions ↑

Take I-880 or I-280 to Highway 17, and go south over the Santa Cruz Mountains. Exit at Mt. Hermon Road in Scotts Valley, and go right (NW) 3 miles to Highway 9. Turn right, proceed about 6 miles to the town of Boulder Creek. Turn left on Highway 236, and go 9 miles to the park headquarters.

There is no shortage of alternative routes. Some favorites are listed on our website.

Updated: Mar 9, 2026, 9:49 PM PDT • Edit