City of Trees Orienteering Club

More information and registrations via
https://www.croc.org/events/2026/8/6/deschutes-daze

These are beautiful areas near Bend, OR! Please consider participating.

CTOC has a junior sponsorship program to cover fees and provide a SI stick. More information is at
https://ctoc-boise.blogspot.com/2026/02/2026-junior-orienteer-sponsorship.html

Cheers,
Sergey

Tentatively on September 19 rescheduled due to smoke and hot temperatures.
No control bags. No punches. No beginners. UsynligO on this terrain is very different than our previous meets. Let me explain. First, UsynligO is a smart phone app. It uses an audible signal to inform the orienteer of arrival at a designated feature on the map and records performance. Cascade Orienteering has an excellent guide to UsynligO here. You can try it on a UsynligO course at Eagle Island State Park.

The venue is a new map. I began mapping in 2022. I never found a reason to direct a meet there because there is no beginners' terrain and because it is not a large area, With the World Masters Championships and the Western States Championships both in early August, I thought this venue would provide an excellent training option. In addition, it's very good terrain for advanced intermediate and advanced orienteers to get in another meet even without the training rationale.

The footing is excellent in most parts. Except for the steep slopes it is entirely runnable in large parts. There is almost no cheat grass on land mostly dominated by ponderosa pines. And, there is just enough dense vegetation to make it interesting.

This is a Classic course format traveling in sequential order. You're welcome to go at whatever pace you prefer.
We will have 3 courses:
Course descriptions are estimates.
1. Advanced Course (4.4 km, 230 m elevation, 16 controls): Heavy reliance on reading contours.
2. Short Advanced (3.6km, 192 m elevation, 12 controls): Heavy reliance on reading contours.
3. Intermediate (2.0 km, 100 m elevation, 8 controls): Reliance on reading contours.

Keep in mind that these distances are based on straight path distances, not the distance of your travel, that will be farther.
LOGISTICS
When: Saturday, September 19
Starts from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. Course closes at 1:00PM. (that means please be back at the start by this time.)
Meet Location:
East of Cascade, ID on the Warm Lake Road. From the intersection of Highway 55 and the Warm Lake Road, travel 4.6 K east to the start pictured below. This is approximately 1.5 hours drive from Boise - but it is worth the time.
There's not a lot of cheat grass but wearing gators is never a bad idea. Leg covering might prevent some scratches. Of course, remember your compass, or bring $1 to borrow one for the day. You definitely will need one to take bearings in this open terrain!
Unless there is some unusual and unforeseen large event in progress, there should be adequate parking at the site.

Please RSVP by 8am Thursday, September 17 with name & course choice and cell phone number. I need your phone number in order to contact you if there is a condition that requires cancellation of the event. You can RSVP either in the comments below or directly to murrayjohna1@gmail.com. Limited number of extra maps may be available but don't count on it if you didn't RSVP. UsynligO allows you to download and print your own copy.
I believe there is cell phone coverage on most of the course, but I did encounter one location where I could not get a signal, so do not count on it.

Map Notes:
I selected large distinct control features for the most part. There are locations where there are multiple boulders. There are some steep slopes. Soil covered with forest litter is the predominant footing. It presents only a moderate risk of sprains and falling. A moderate risk is still a risk. Safety requires your attention. Recommended to tape ankles or wear ankle braces to prevent potential sprains. It also will provide you with more confidence and additional protection from grass and scrub.

Liability Waivers:
Non-members please bring printed and signed liability waivers (available for download at ctoc-boise.org/pub/ctoc_ind_waiver.pdf ) from home. We will have blanks if you forget. If you are bringing a minor who is NOT your own child, you MUST bring a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
Sturdy shoes are a must. Some slopes are steep and unstable. It's not a city park, so safe travel requires attention to your footing on hillsides. A compass is essential for setting and following bearings.
COST:
Single meet (day) dues: $10 per person/team, free for members
Single Junior (up to 20 years old): $5 per person/team, free for members
If more than one map is needed for a team, a small additional fee may be needed per the discretion of the meet director depending on printing costs.
CTOC annual membership make all our meets free:
Join and use Monthly Pro-Rata for membership fees.
Membership form and instructions found here.
John Murray
Meet Director

Meet Location:
Last parking on the Mountain Cove road where it forks toward the archery range, about one and half miles past the Fort Boise. See where Google map pin is placed.
We will place directional signs where appropriate.
Please RSVP by Thursday evening October 8 with name & course choice. No course - map for you may not be available. You can RSVP either in the comments below or directly to savelichko@yahoo.com.

Map and Course Notes:
These are Military Reserve hills with plenty of trails to explore and couple streams to cross You will test all your course planning and map reading skills. More advanced courses will cross the Mountain Cove road so watch the traffic. Traffic is not expected to be dense but please look left and right before crossing. Advanced courses will go via rugged terrain so orienteering shoes are recommended together with full leg cover. This is not a city park. You will encounter scrubby vegetation and in some places denser bushes. Grass ranges from ankle high, to knee high, and up to waist high. You will need to push through in some places. Lots of cheatgrass with spiky seeds so take precaution protecting ankles. It may be very bumpy and rough under the foot. Taping ankles is recommended. You will use trails intensively. Please be courteous and polite - these are shared use trails, give the way to bikers as they can not control their bikes as good as you control your feet :) Advanced course winning time expected around 1:15-1:20 and Intermediate course around 1 hour. Beginner course is all on trails and roads with easy to find control locations. Due to wild nature of the area all kids on a course must be accompanied by a grown-up. Enjoy the area, I saw plenty of birds, deer, and even one garden snake! Rattle snakes are not expected but nevertheless watch where you step. I will place one shared water control in the middle of Sport, Intermediate, and Advanced courses. Drink at least a cup or two.

PUNCHING:
We will use SI electronic punching. Rent a SI stick for nominal $4 or bring your own.

Liability Waivers:
Non-members please bring printed and signed liability waivers (available for download at ctoc-boise.org/pub/ctoc_ind_waiver.pdf ) from home. We will have blanks if you forget. If you are bringing a minor who is NOT your own child, you MUST bring a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.

COST:
Single meet (day) dues:
$12 per person/team, free for members
Single Junior (up to 20 years old): $6 per person/team, free for members
If more than one map is needed for a team, a small additional fee may be needed per the discretion of the meet director depending on printing costs.

CTOC annual membership (all meets are free):
Join with Monthly Pro-Rated for membership fees:
Membership form and instructions may be found at this link.

Cheers,
Sergey