Pohick Bay

May 5
Sunday

Pohick Bay Welcome to Pohick Bay Regional Park! This year, we'll be in the same registration and start/finish area as last year (see the locator map below), but with our event in May - rather than February - the weather is certainly likely to be warmer. A full set of courses from beginner (white) to advanced (blue) will be available thanks to course setter Amber Tomas, who has also updated the map.

Course details are now posted below; and as for timing, plan on showing up anytime between 10:45am - 1:15pm, start between 11 - 1:30, and be out of the woods by 3pm.

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.



Pohick Locator Map Additional information:

  • Dogs are welcome, so long as they are on a leash at all times.
  • Tell the attendant at the park entrance booth that you are here for the orienteering event and you won't have to pay the park entry fee.
  • If the parking lot near Shelter 1 (see map at left) is full, proceed down the hill to the Boat Ramp parking lot and walk back up to the registration site.
  • Have a questions? Just click on our Contact Us form.

zpizza It's Back: Free Pizza Special! ZPIZZA is offering all orienteers a free slice of pizza with the purchase of any beverage this Sunday afternoon; use code "QOC" or just wave your Pohick map. Known for their menu featuring healthy sandwiches, salads and gluten-free pizza, and rated highly by plenty of QOC orienteers. Located (here) just east of the I-95/Lorton exit 163; you can get there easily after the event by taking a right turn out of the park onto Guhston Road. There's also a Quizno's and a Starbucks next door if that's more your style.




Nearby Attraction: Want to combine some history with your orienteering? Nearby Gunston Hall was the home of George Mason, the "father of the Bill of Rights" and has an impressive mansion and over 500 acres of grounds and hiking trails (and maybe we'll orienteer someday there too!). The entry road for Gunston Hall is just 500 meters beyond Pohick Bay Park entrance off Gunston Road. Check their website for hours and admission prices.

Location Pohick Bay Regional Park, Pavilion 3, Lorton, Virginia
Registration No advance registration required. Just show up and have fun!
Start Times You may start your course at any time during the start window listed below for your event.
Schedule
  • Sunday, May 5
    10:45 am - 1:15 pm
    Registration window
  • Sunday, May 5
    3:00 pm - 3:00 pm
    Courses close
  • Sunday, May 5
    11:00 am - 1:30 pm
    Start window
Volunteers
Location Details
Pohick Bay Regional Park, Pavilion 3, Lorton, Virginia
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 (Z-pizza is in the shopping center on the left), 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 4 miles to the park entrance on left.
After passing through the gate, continue down the main park road to the end and park in the LARGE lots to the west (by the boat launches). Walk about ~125 meters to Shelter 3, which is on the east side of the main entrance road (look for the QOC banner).
Please note that a park entry fee must be paid to the attendant at the park gate. Those who live in the NOVA Parks jurisdiction (residents of Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties; Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax & Falls Church) are admitted free; please be prepared to show ID at gate. Those who live outside the jurisdiction will pay $4 per vehicle at the gate (the shelter-rental rate). PLEASE inform the attendant that they are there for the orienteering event at SHELTER 3.
Course Details
Course Name Length (km) Climb (m) No. Controls
White 2.2 85 11
Yellow 3.5 175 10
Orange 4.6 285 13
Brown 3.5 150 10
Green 5.4 280 14
Red 6.7 430 16
Blue 8.9 575 23
Course Notes
The woods are looking beautiful and excellent for running. The area is quite hilly, and it may be worthwhile looking for routes which avoid climb early in the course. A few other comments might be worth remembering:
  • Trail junctions can be hard to see, and may have small logs across them. Take care when looking for junctions.
  • A campsite near the start and disc golf near the finish have created many small paths and objects which are not on the map.
  • Take care crossing roads and please try to avoid running across the parking area.
  • Please respect the areas marked as private, and do not use the trail (a driveway) marked with red crosses on the map.
Entry Fees Individual 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.

Location

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Pavilion 3, Lorton, Virginia

Registration

No advance registration required. Just show up and have fun!

Start Times

You may start your course at any time during the start window listed below for your event.

Schedule

  • Sunday, May 5
    10:45 am - 1:15 pm
  • Sunday, May 5
    3:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  • Sunday, May 5
    11:00 am - 1:30 pm

Volunteers

Location Details

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Pavilion 3, Lorton, Virginia
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 (Z-pizza is in the shopping center on the left), 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 4 miles to the park entrance on left.
After passing through the gate, continue down the main park road to the end and park in the LARGE lots to the west (by the boat launches). Walk about ~125 meters to Shelter 3, which is on the east side of the main entrance road (look for the QOC banner).
Please note that a park entry fee must be paid to the attendant at the park gate. Those who live in the NOVA Parks jurisdiction (residents of Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties; Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax & Falls Church) are admitted free; please be prepared to show ID at gate. Those who live outside the jurisdiction will pay $4 per vehicle at the gate (the shelter-rental rate). PLEASE inform the attendant that they are there for the orienteering event at SHELTER 3.

Course Details

Course Name Length (km) Climb (m) No. Controls
White 2.2 85 11
Yellow 3.5 175 10
Orange 4.6 285 13
Brown 3.5 150 10
Green 5.4 280 14
Red 6.7 430 16
Blue 8.9 575 23

Course Notes

The woods are looking beautiful and excellent for running. The area is quite hilly, and it may be worthwhile looking for routes which avoid climb early in the course. A few other comments might be worth remembering:
  • Trail junctions can be hard to see, and may have small logs across them. Take care when looking for junctions.
  • A campsite near the start and disc golf near the finish have created many small paths and objects which are not on the map.
  • Take care crossing roads and please try to avoid running across the parking area.
  • Please respect the areas marked as private, and do not use the trail (a driveway) marked with red crosses on the map.

Entry Fees

Individual 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.


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