Hemlock Overlook

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionPDF versionPDF versionShareThis

October 28
Sunday

Hemlock photo by Jan Allbeck Welcome back to Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, on the banks of the Occoquan. We'll have a full set of courses, from beginner to advanced, at this event. The forecast currently says rain showers are likely on Sunday so please keep an eye on that and come prepared with appropriate clothing to orienteer in and a change of clothes for afterwards.

The white woods are generally nice and runnable. The light green areas are generally thick but passable and there is very little fight on the map. Leaves are starting to fall and some trails will be difficult to spot, especially in the southern portion of the map. Please do not enter the open areas marked as Private on the map. Course and map details are below.

Any youth or large groups attending this event should contact the Event Director so that we can coordinate pre-registration for your group; the group registration and waiver form is part of the information on our Group Leaders page. Dogs on leash are welcome at this park.

Starbucks logo Storm Special! Hot drinks including hot chocolate and Starbucks Via coffee will be served with our post-race refreshments.

Note: in case you're wondering, yes, this event was originally posted as taking place in Fountainhead Regional Park, also on the banks of the Occoquan, though a few miles downstream from Hemlock Overlook. The change of venue resolves a conflict with an equine event taking place at Fountainhead, which will feature in the schedule again in winter/spring 2013, though the final date is up in the air for the nonce.

Location

Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, Hemlock Pavilion, Clifton, VA (Classic Orienteering)

RegistrationNo advance registration required. Just show up and have fun!
Start TimesYou may start your course at any time during the start window listed below for your event.
ScheduleSunday, October 28
10:45 am - 1:15 pmClassic Orienteering: Registration window
11:00 am - 1:30 pmClassic Orienteering: Start window
3:00 pmClassic Orienteering: Courses close - beginning of control pickup
Volunteers
Event Director:Lisa Beck
Course Designer:Gary Smith
Location Details

Classic Orienteering, Classic Orienteering, Classic Orienteering
Hemlock Overlook Regional Park
Hemlock Pavilion
Clifton, VA
Google Map

From Clifton VA, take Main Street (route 641) south for 1 mile. Then go right onto Yates Ford Road and drive to the end (about 2 miles). Note: Please drive carefully along Yates Ford Road - it is narrow in some places, and one section has a 15mph speed limit.
Course DetailsClassic Orienteering
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 2.26511
Yellow 2.6858
Orange 421013
Brown 4.218010
Green 6.126014
Red 7.235016
Blue 9.135020
Course NotesClassic Orienteering

Map notes: The contour interval is 5m, and the map scale is 1:5,000 for the white and yellow courses and 1:10,000 for all other courses. Adventure Links has been doing a lot of work at Hemlock, so there are many new unmapped structures, especially tent cabins. There is also a lot of adventure equipment, some of which is mapped, but not all. There are quite a few vegetation changes, particularly new growth in the area marked as open field to the northeast of the start area. Some trails shown on the map are either indistinct or completely gone. Some rootstocks are marked with a black x rather than a brown x, particularly in the southern part of the map.

Entry FeesIndividual Entries

Non-Member: $10/adult, $6/junior (under 21 years old)

Member: $6/adult, $4/junior (under 21 years old)

Team or Group Entries

Participants are welcome to compete together as a single team entry. Teams containing one or more nonmembers are charged the nonmember individual rate. Teams containing one or more adults are charged the adult individual rate. For teams to receive member or junior rates, all members of the team must be members or juniors, respectively. Each extra team map beyond the first is an additional $4. Individuals or teams desiring to compete on a second course can do so for a reduced fee of $4/map.

Important Notes
  • At the event, we can only accept payment in cash or check; online, you may use a credit card or PayPal account.
  • Most of our events use electronic timing. We will provide you with an electronic timing chip (aka e-stick, finger dibber, or SI-card) for free if you don't own one. Loaned e-sticks that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee.
  • Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
  • Please provide collateral (driver's license or car keys) when borrowing a compass or e-punch.
  • For additional safety, whistles are available for sale at $1/each.
  • Free beginner instruction is always available - just ask at the registration table.