Patuxent

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionPDF versionPDF versionShareThis

October 15
Sunday

Patuxent Park trailWelcome to one of our most favorite, least steep parks! Our course setter Craig Shelden has prepared a full range of courses from White (Beginner) to Blue (Advanced) and every other color course in between that QOC normally has available. Register at the event anytime between 10:45am - 1:15pm, start any time between 11 - 1:30, and be back at the finish no later than 3pm. Water, snacks, bathrooms, and all the other usual amenities will also be available.

New to orienteering? We will hold beginner clinics continuously during the event; just tell the friendly folks at registration if you'd like to be in one and they'll take care of you. Also, make sure to check out our Your First Event and For Beginners webpages, and if they don't answer any question you have, just use our Contact Us form and ask away!

Group Leaders: please see our Group Leaders page and then contact our Event Director, Dave Levine, so your group can get pre-registered in advance.

Special Notes for this event:

  • Start and Finish will be near the registration area at the Pavilion.
  • All maps will be at a scale of 1:10,000.
  • Dogs are welcome but must be on leash at all times.

Reminder! If you haven't registered yet for our very own "Q3" Classic Two Championships, fees increase after Oct. 14, so save some $ and do so now. This event will take place on the Quantico Marine Base in two fine areas that have never been used before for any orienteering event, so come be the first to check out these new terrains and new maps. All event information and registration is via our USchamps.org website, and in case it's not clear, all orienteers are welcome and that definitely means beginners of all ages too!

Location

Patuxent River Park, Barn parking area, Upper Marlboro, MD (Classic)

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 15
11:00 am - 3:00 pmClassic:
Volunteers
Event Director:Dave Levine
Course Designer:Craig Shelden
Location Details

Classic
Patuxent River Park
Barn parking area
Upper Marlboro, MD
Google Map

From the MD. Rt. 4 Capital Beltway exit, head south/east on Rt. 4 for 3 miles. Exit onto Woodyard Rd (Rt. 223) south. Immediately turn left at the light onto Osbourne Rd. After 3 miles you'll reach a traffic light and a junction with US Rt. 301. Turn left on 301 then immediately turn right at the next light onto Croom Rd. (Rt. 382). Signs for Patuxent River Park begin at this turn. After 3.5 miles, turn left on Croom Airport Road and continue for 2 miles to the park entrance, passing the junction with Duvall Rd. on the way. At the park entrance, continue straight towards the Group Camp Area (do not turn left towards the park's visitor center). Turn right onto the driveway leading to a barn and picnic pavilion when you reach a large field on the right hand side of the road. The parking, registration, start and finish areas are shown below on the arena map.

Alternatively, from the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Exit 11A, (Pennsylvania Ave), Route 4 east for 8 miles. Take Route 301 south for 1.7 miles. Turn left on Croom Station Road and continue for 1.6 miles. Turn left on Croom Road (Route 382) and proceed for 1.5 miles. Turn left on Croom Airport Road and proceed to the park entrance as described above.

From the junction of Route 50 and Route 301, take Route 301 south for 15 miles. Turn left onto Croom Station Road and go 3.5 miles before turning left again onto Croom Airport Road. Follow it to the park entrance and proceed as described above.
Google Maps Link
Apple/iPhone Link

Course DetailsClassic
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 3158
Yellow 3.8259
Orange 4.411510
Brown 4.21359
Green 6.423510
Red 7.726513
Blue 9.131518
Course NotesClassic

The map continues to hold up pretty well. As a consequence of holding this event in early fall, indistinct trails may have some leaves covering portions – and – visibility will be less than we might enjoy in a late fall or early winter event. Creeks often have sheer, deep sides of about 3 – 5 feet. They're not deep enough to require a contour, but they are deep enough to warrant crossing caution. As usual, linear marshes and gullies may have water present depending on recent rainfall. When site checking this past weekend, the park was pretty dry.

Entry FeesIndividual Entries

Note: juniors = under 21

Club Member, adult Club Member, junior Non-Member, adult Non-Member, junior
Epunch Owner $5 $5 $10 $5
Epunch Borrower $10 $5 $15 $10

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.
  • If you have access to a smartphone, you may become a member at the event by joining online via this webpage (which also explains the member benefits). Membership is completely optional. If you wish to join or renew, we strongly recommend joining (or renewing) online before the event rather than at it to save time and because it's easier.
  • Most of our events use an 'epunch' timing chip for electronic timing. Individuals or groups without their own epunch pay a higher entry fee (see above), which includes the loan of an epunch for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) are usually available for sale at each event as described here.
  • Former QOC members who have let their membership lapse pay non-member fees.
  • 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 epunch.
  • For additional safety, whistles are available for sale at $1/each.
  • Free beginner instruction is always available - just ask at the registration table.