BAOC returns to the beautiful redwood forests of Huddart Park on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains above Woodside. We will offer six of our standard courses (all except Blue), so there will be something for everyone from beginners to advanced orienteers. The usual times and fees will be in effect, and electronic punching will be used. Course statistics will be published soon. (Spoiler: Expect a good deal of climb!)
Huddart is a steep park. The contour interval is 7.5 meters, and there is certainly some imprecision in contour lines (typical of redwood forest). As a result, it is often impossible to judge just how steep a hillside is from the map alone. Advice to advanced runners: wear cleats, trust your senses, know your limitations, and have a Plan B. Most of the park is mapped as runnable, and while there are many stretches of delightful open woods, many areas are more nuanced in reality — featuring thick clusters, downed trees, or undergrowth which will slow your progress. The course setters have applied many map corrections, especially in the areas around controls and along the most likely routes, to attempt a more accurate depiction of the vegetation.
We will be based at the Werder Picnic Shelter (which is near the location used in previous years). Parking, registration, the Finish, picnic tables, restrooms, and a kid's playground are in close proximity. We will be using two Starts: the White and Yellow courses will start close to the shelter, while the intermediate and advanced runners will enjoy a brisk uphill walk of about 0.5 km with 120 m of climb to reach their Start.
Huddart is popular with equestrians, and it is mandatory that all runners yield 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 on to a trail, take a quick look for horses first. There will also be hikers, picnickers and other group events in the area. Please be considerate of them, too.
No dogs are allowed in the park.
Here are the details of the courses that will be available:
Course Length Climb Controls
White 2.0 km 135 m 12
Yellow 2.7 km 225 m 13
Orange 3.5 km 315 m 13
Brown 2.5 km 190 m 13
Green 3.3 km 335 m 16
Red 4.2 km 420 m 18
For more information, or to volunteer to help, please contact the Event Director, Nick Corsano (info above).
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 $6 per vehicle park entry fee.
There's a map here that shows the location of the event.