Patapsco CCBC

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May 2
Sunday

PVSP Cascase Falls

Pre-registration is required and will open on Monday, April 26 at 6pm if our permit is approved. There will NOT be day-of registration.

Welcome back to this section of Patapsco Valley State Park, where you'll find fairly typical ridge/valley terrain (similar to Avalon/Orange Grove), with steep hillsides going down to the streams, an extensive trail network, and small rocks scattered about. The full set of courses (white through blue) will be available, and course stats and course setter comments are now posted below along with map notes.

This event requires on-line pre-registration which will open at 6pm on Monday, April 26, via a link that will be in the Registration section below.

Event check-in is at the CCBC parking lot.

QOC’s COVID risk reduction protocols, as also enumerated here, will be in effect. Please read these guidelines carefully, particularly keeping in mind the need for participants to bring their own water for all their hydration needs before, during, and after their runs/walks.

Other points:

  • PROPERLY WORN MASKS ARE REQUIRED at all times when near registration and epunch areas and their volunteers. Per CDC guidelines, this applies to everyone, whether or not you have been vaccinated.
  • There is no entrance or parking fee at CCBC.
  • We encourage everyone to download and use any or even all of the DC, Maryland and Virginia COVID exposure notification apps.
  • Dogs are permitted at this event but must be leashed at all times.
  • The size of start teams (groups of individuals orienteering together with one e-punch) on a course must be no more than four (4) individuals (juniors and adults combined). Unregistered "tag-alongs" are not allowed (other than babies or toddlers). Any youth or large groups attending, although you will be pre-registering online, please contact the Event Director of your plans and numbers for their awareness.
  • There is no planned, on-site beginner instruction, but beginners are encouraged to watch relevant videos such as this one created by QOC's instructional guru David Onkst
Have any questions? Feel free to reach out to our Event Director or for general questions, just use our Contact Form.

Location

Patapsco Valley State Park, CCBC Catonsville, Catonsville, MD (Classic)
RegistrationPre-registration for this event will open at 6pm on Monday April 26 via this link. Registration will close no later than 6pm Sat. May 1 (the night before the event).
Who's registered? Check by clicking here. Sorting by column is possible too - just click on the column name.
Start TimesParticipants will register in advance for a specified 15 or 45 minute check-in window (including map pick-up), starting at 9:45am until the final window from 1:15-1:30pm. Each window will be limited to 15 or 45 "starts" (solo individuals or groups).
ScheduleSunday, May 2
10:00 am - 3:00 pmClassic:
Volunteers
Event Director:John Landers
Course Designer:Ken Walker, Jr
Location Details

Classic
Patapsco Valley State Park
CCBC Catonsville
Catonsville, MD
Google Map

Take 95 to 195/166 west. Take this until the road ends at South Rolling Road (keep right or you will end up in the Park-n-Ride). Go right/North on South Rolling Road. South Rolling Road has speed cameras so pay attention to the posted speed limit. Take South Rolling road to Campus Drive (there is a stop light there). Go left on Campus Drive. Follow Campus Drive to the top of the hill where the road splits to make a loop around the campus; keep left at this split. Follow the road around to Lot 6. Registration will be towards the field.
Course DetailsClassic
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 2.26011
Yellow 2.59011
Orange 4.317512
Brown 4.31459
Green 5.925012
Red 7.828013
Blue 9.134517
Course NotesClassic

Map
Mapped rootstocks were all originally greater than 2 meters but some older ones may now be less than that. I have not used them for control locations.

There are rocky areas on the map so beware of your footing. All rocks larger than a meter in any direction have been mapped. Smaller rocks that are distinct are also mapped. In rocky areas it may be difficult to tell what is/isn’t mapped.

There are lots of trails including some new ones. If you last ran on the no-trails version of this map, you may be surprised.

Woods are generally very open. There are areas of thicker vegetation, in particular some type of thorny bushes that appear dense but usually have passages through. The passages are not mapped in detail.

Invasive plants are a problem in this park. Stilt grass died back and is not yet a problem. There are patches of the wavy leaf basket grass, and we should be too early for it to be a seed-spreading problem. It will not impede your progress but check before you leave the park that you aren’t taking any of their seeds home. REMOVE any SEEDS BEFORE LEAVING THE PARK. Place seeds in the garbage bag at the registration area. Do not discard seeds on the ground.

Courses
All courses will cross the streams multiple times. You may be able to cross without getting your feet wet, depending on the water level. It has not been especially high. The blue course approaches (but does not cross) one stream with very steep banks and overhanging vegetation.

All courses except white will cross a park entrance road at least twice. There is not much traffic but please pay attention while crossing.

There is an active railroad on the map. The courses should not tempt you to cross the tracks but if for some reason you find yourself there, please watch out.

There is a campground loop in the middle of the map which is likely to be busy. Please try to avoid running through occupied campsites.
Entry FeesIndividual Entries

Note: juniors = under 21

Club Member, adult Club Member, junior Non-Member, adult Non-Member, junior
$10 $5 $20 $5

Group Entries

Participants are welcome to orienteer together as a group (up to the maximum for that event; usually 4). Each member of a group is charged their individual rate as shown above, up to a group total of $30 (maximum), and each receives a map. A group receives one epunch. Individuals or groups desiring to compete on a second course after completing their first can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map subject to approval at the event by the Event Director.

Important Notes
  • If you wish to become a QOC member you should join online in advance via this webpage (which also explains the member benefits). Membership is completely optional.
  • Most of our events use an 'epunch' timing chip for electronic timing. Individuals or groups without their own epunch will be loaned one for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) can be purchased from online vendors 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 (such as car keys) when borrowing a compass or epunch.
  • Free beginner instruction is always available - just ask at the registration table. While COVID-19 policies are in effect, please check out instructional videos online such as those mentioned above in lieu of in-person/at-event instruction.