Discussion: Course Notes
in: DVOA Elk Neck State Park - CANCELED (Oct 25, 2015 - North East, MD, US)
Oct 23, 2015 12:18 AM
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Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Upper Chesapeake Bay and Elk River, beach running on sandy beaches, some nice open woods, beautiful laurel to navigate through, and ample paved parking.
DVOA will be paying for your parking, so be sure to put the DVOA parking slip given to you at registration on your dashboard and, if you can, donate a little extra to help cover this expense.
Registration is from 10:00am - 1:00pm
Courses Close at 3pm
We need volunteers - PLEASE SIGN UP!!
Course Notes
Map: the map is 17 years old at this point. While the 'bones' of the map are still mostly sound, there were a number of significant errors, primarily rootstocks and trails. Instead of overprinting on a bad map (even though it's gorgeous!!), we are using very good laser printing, after some map updates! I removed all marked rootstocks, added in a few that were useful, and modifying a few trails as well. So the map is a bit 'fresher' than it's been in a long time! I'm not a pro, so your mileage may vary.
Campgrounds: the park is nearly full this weekend. Please do not go through any campsites. Stick to roads and trails while in any campground areas. This is part of our agreement to use the park, and significant time was spent modifying courses and working with park personnel to 'get it right'. They're counting on us being considerate. In that vein:
Marked Route (White): there is a marked, streamered/flagged route from 9 to 10 on White to avoid any possibility of going through an occupied campsite. It is marked on the map, please follow the route (it's prettier, anyway!).
Road Crossing/Running: DO NOT run along the main highway (MD Route 272 / Turkey Point Road), it is out of bounds, except for Blue crossing. If you're crossing it (Blue only), please be extremely careful: locals sometimes drive very, very fast on this small, curvy highway. We'll have "Runner Xing" signs out, but the onus is on you to be safe. Cars always win.
State of The Woods: the paw paws are still in leaf. I was hoping that they would have dropped by now, but alas they haven't, so Orange and Advanced courses will all get to enjoy a bit of paw paw running. Their big leaves cut down on visibility, and the majority of the trees in the park seem to be young, so they can get in your way. I avoided them as much as possible, but couldn't completely remove them from the courses. The good news: there is very, very little briar of any kind in the park! There's a bit, by the edges of things, but those of you used to PA/DE/NJ woods will be pleased.
Water Features: due to the dry summer and fall we've had this year, water features are on the dry side. Adjust your expectations and routes accordingly!
Water: there will be water stops at several locations on the courses. Most will not be at controls, but at central crossing points. Just look for the cup on the map!
Beachs: all courses will spend some time on Elk River beaches. Estimated tides for Sunday are 8:10am high, 2:30pm low, so you should be able to avoid getting your toes wet, if you wish. Toward the SE end of the SE beach the beach is very narrow. At that point there's a small trail, not on the map, in the woods next to the dark green. Use it! Or just slog through the goopy sand like me.
Buried Treasure: I spent some time looking for buried treasure by the new feature on the 2nd beach to the NE from the parking lot but didn't find any. Maybe you'll have better luck! All courses except White will visit this spooky, likely-temporary new nautical feature.
DVOA will be paying for your parking, so be sure to put the DVOA parking slip given to you at registration on your dashboard and, if you can, donate a little extra to help cover this expense.
Registration is from 10:00am - 1:00pm
Courses Close at 3pm
We need volunteers - PLEASE SIGN UP!!
Course Notes
Map: the map is 17 years old at this point. While the 'bones' of the map are still mostly sound, there were a number of significant errors, primarily rootstocks and trails. Instead of overprinting on a bad map (even though it's gorgeous!!), we are using very good laser printing, after some map updates! I removed all marked rootstocks, added in a few that were useful, and modifying a few trails as well. So the map is a bit 'fresher' than it's been in a long time! I'm not a pro, so your mileage may vary.
Campgrounds: the park is nearly full this weekend. Please do not go through any campsites. Stick to roads and trails while in any campground areas. This is part of our agreement to use the park, and significant time was spent modifying courses and working with park personnel to 'get it right'. They're counting on us being considerate. In that vein:
Marked Route (White): there is a marked, streamered/flagged route from 9 to 10 on White to avoid any possibility of going through an occupied campsite. It is marked on the map, please follow the route (it's prettier, anyway!).
Road Crossing/Running: DO NOT run along the main highway (MD Route 272 / Turkey Point Road), it is out of bounds, except for Blue crossing. If you're crossing it (Blue only), please be extremely careful: locals sometimes drive very, very fast on this small, curvy highway. We'll have "Runner Xing" signs out, but the onus is on you to be safe. Cars always win.
State of The Woods: the paw paws are still in leaf. I was hoping that they would have dropped by now, but alas they haven't, so Orange and Advanced courses will all get to enjoy a bit of paw paw running. Their big leaves cut down on visibility, and the majority of the trees in the park seem to be young, so they can get in your way. I avoided them as much as possible, but couldn't completely remove them from the courses. The good news: there is very, very little briar of any kind in the park! There's a bit, by the edges of things, but those of you used to PA/DE/NJ woods will be pleased.
Water Features: due to the dry summer and fall we've had this year, water features are on the dry side. Adjust your expectations and routes accordingly!
Water: there will be water stops at several locations on the courses. Most will not be at controls, but at central crossing points. Just look for the cup on the map!
Beachs: all courses will spend some time on Elk River beaches. Estimated tides for Sunday are 8:10am high, 2:30pm low, so you should be able to avoid getting your toes wet, if you wish. Toward the SE end of the SE beach the beach is very narrow. At that point there's a small trail, not on the map, in the woods next to the dark green. Use it! Or just slog through the goopy sand like me.
Buried Treasure: I spent some time looking for buried treasure by the new feature on the 2nd beach to the NE from the parking lot but didn't find any. Maybe you'll have better luck! All courses except White will visit this spooky, likely-temporary new nautical feature.
This discussion thread is closed.