City of Trees Orienteering Club

Kirsten and I visited this area last November. We found runnable complex terrain set in southwestern Idaho desert scrubland. Low vegetation dominates the landscape on this entirely new map.
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 crude estimates until design is complete.
1. Sport Course (3 km, 120 m elevation, 10 controls): A good choice if you'd like to develop your navigation skills and move up from the beginner level.
2. Intermediate (4km, 160 m elevation, 13 controls): An opportunity to apply compass-bearing and contour-reading in rugged terrain.
3. Advanced (6.0 km, 220 m elevation, 17 controls): Same terrain and technical ability as intermediate with a lot more endurance required and enough distance to satisfy that need to run.

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, April 25
Starts from 10:00AM to 12:00AM. Course closes at 2:00PM. (that means please be back at the start by this time.)
Meet Location:
Thirteen miles southeast of Murphy and then 3.5 miles south on the Oreana Loop Road through Oreana curving east to Mit's Road where you turn south to the start. 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 Ground may be soft but also can be rocky in stretches. 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!

During our visit we found adequate parking at the site.

The Google Map pin shows the location of the start and finish.
Please RSVP by 8am Thursday, April 23 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.

I believe there is cell phone coverage, but this area is remote, so do not count on it.

Map Notes:
The vegetation is simple: scattered sagebrush, rabbit brush, and other species. Cheat grass, almost always quite sparse, covers large parts of the area. It was never a problem with gaiters and awn resistant shoes. There are some steep slopes. Flat sedimentary rocks predominate and present only a moderate risk of sprains and falling. A moderate risk is still a risk. Safety requires extra attention to foot placement in many locations. 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.
Erosion gullies are the predominant feature for control placement and navigation. If you find a boulder, let me know. Most of the cliffs on the map are earth banks instead of rock.

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; we also recommend gaiters to protect your legs and feet from cheat grass. 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