Mason Neck

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May 19
Sunday

We return for the penultimate meet of the 2012-2013 QOC season to Mason Neck State Park, known for it's water views and fast, flat terrain (and 5 foot contours). Bring a bike or canoe (see below) and enjoy the park after your run, or cool off in the renovated Nature Center. Event registration will be from 10:45am - 1:15pm, you can start your course anytime between 11am - 1:30pm, and courses close at 3pm. Course details are now posted below.

Ample parking and flush toilets are available at the assembly area. A state park entrance fee of $4 per vehicle will be collected upon entrance to the park. We will also hope to have the use of a large (pavilion style) tent, so feel free to bring food or beverages.

Mason Neck Woods Any youth or large groups attending, please 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.

Mason Neck State Park is also a great place for exploration on the water or by bike (a very smooth and family-friendly bike path runs through much of the park). Of note:

  • Bring your own canoe or kayak, or rent one. Rental rates are $10/hr for a kayak, $15/hr for a tandem kayak, and $12/hr for a canoe (all + tax).
  • A 2.5 hour guided kayak tour is conducted on Sunday mornings at 9am. Cost is $15 per person; reserve a spot by calling the park office at (703) 339-2385.
  • Bring your own bikes, or rent one. Rental rate is $5/hr.
  • There's a fine playground quite near our registration area.
  • Dogs are welcome in the park, but must be on a leash of length 6 feet or less at all times and "with a human on the other end", as a park ranger said.

zpizza Post-Race MeetUp Special! ZPIZZA is once again offering all orienteers a free slice of pizza with any beverage purchase. Last chance this season! Known for their menu featuring healthy sandwiches, salads and gluten-free pizza. Located (here) just east of the I-95/Lorton exit 163. There's also a Quizno's and a Starbucks next door if that's more your style.

Mason Neck Playground

Location

Mason Neck SP, Mason Neck SP, Lorton, 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, May 19
10:45 am - 1:15 pmClassic Orienteering: Registration window
11:00 am - 1:30 pmClassic Orienteering: Start window
3:00 pmClassic Orienteering: Courses close
Volunteers
Event Director:Regan Skjaevestad
Course Designer:Bjorn Skjaevestad
Location Details

Classic Orienteering, Classic Orienteering, Classic Orienteering
Mason Neck SP
Mason Neck SP
Lorton, VA
Google Map

From southbound I-95, take exit 163 (Lorton). Go left onto Lorton Rd at the end of exit ramp. Go under the 2nd overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St., then go about 1.5 miles to the traffic light at Route 1. Go straight through light (the road name changes to Gunston Rd) and go about 5 miles to the right turn on High Point Road (it's about 1.2 miles after the Pohick entrance). Once in the park ($10 entrance fee per vehicle), follow the signs towards the Visitor Center. The registration area will be to the left just before the Visitor Center; look for the banner.
Google Maps Link
Apple/iPhone Link
Course DetailsClassic Orienteering
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 1.7357
Yellow 2.1457
Orange 3.39010
Brown 3.8858
Green 5.713010
Red 7.117514
Blue 9.321015
Course NotesClassic Orienteering

Map scales: 1:5000 for white, 1:7500 for yellow and orange, and 1:10000 for all advanced courses. Map size: green, red and blue are on legal size paper; all other courses on letter size. Map Note: due to many changes in rootstock abundance and location, none will be shown on the map. You'll see plenty of them, thanks to the storms over the past few years, but no controls are on them either. In general: There is good visibility in the terrain. The advanced courses have relatively few (feature) details compared to other parks. In some areas, the vegetation is quite bushy and the green-mapped areas are really difficult to run through. The marshes are wet at the moment (due to recent rain). Some of the knolls on the map look more like old rootstocks with moss on the top. Course distances are listed based on "straight line" measurements, but you'll run further due to having to go around bays and marshes.
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 $2. Individuals or teams desiring to compete on a second course can do so for a reduced fee of $2/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.