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Sunday
_Cunningham_Falls_State_Park.jpg "Cunningham Falls St. Park")
Pre-registration is required and will open Monday, October 19 at 6pm, closing at 12 noon on Oct. 24, the day before the event. There will be no day-of registration.
Nestled within the rugged Catoctin Mountains near Thurmont, Cunningham Falls State Park spans over 6,100 acres with an elevation change that reaches up to 1,860 feet.
Course setter Glenn Pastel has prepared a full set of classic courses, White through Blue (including Beige). Full course details and course setter notes are posted below. A big thank you to the Patriot NJROTC, led by Mike Rodrigues, who are hosting this event. Additionally, for this event Austere Medical Professionals will provide emergency medical help.
Park Entrance Fee
Cunningham Falls State Park charges a per-vehicle entrance fee - $3 for MD residents, $5 for out-of-staters. The park has asked QOC to help ensure all participants pay this fee. If you have an annual pass, you're all set. Otherwise, please bring exact change and pay at the park entrance. However, if there’s a line of cars behind you at the entrance, feel free to proceed directly to the event parking area. You can pay the entrance fee at check-in instead - we want to avoid traffic backing up onto the highway. We’ll collect the fees and submit the total to the park. If a ranger states the park is too crowded to enter and tries to turn you away at the gate, since we have a permitted event, please tell the ranger on duty you are attending our event to be let in.
Parking
Park in the lot close to the Manor Area pavilion. If the lot is full, there is another parking lot closer to the park entrance.
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| Course Details |
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| Course Notes |
Welcome orienteers to Cunningham Falls! This park has very few trails and is seated at the foot of the blue ridge mountains so expect lots of contouring and hillside navigation. Advanced courses start 0.75km and 110m up the main trail and traverse their way across and down the hillside. Beginner courses start near the aviary/nature center. All of the courses cover rocky terrain so please be careful to avoid ankle sprains. This is an active time of year for snakes, including timber rattlesnakes and copperheads, so even though they are generally non-aggressive please watch your step as they've been seen frequently! As for the map, it hasn't been updated that recently, so many areas of white along the main trail are more appropriately light green. |
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| Registration | Pre-registration is required. Registration opens at 6pm on Monday Oct. 19 and closes at 12 noon Saturday Oct. 24.
Who's Registered? Check by clicking here. |
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| Schedule |
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| Location | Cunningham Falls St. Park, Manor Area, Thurmont, Maryland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Driving Directions |
From US-15, 11 miles north of Frederick MD and 2.7 miles south of Thurmont, turn west onto Cunningham Falls Park Rd. After entering the park, keep following the road around to your left, past the parking lots, playground, visitor center and aviary, then park in the large parking lot at the bottom of the incline south of the aviary. Registration will be in the pavilion near the northeast corner of that parking lot. |
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| Entry Fees | Individual Entries Note: juniors = under 21
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. Important Notes
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| FAQ |
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Course Details
| Course Name | Length (km) | Climb (m) | No. Controls | Scale |
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| White | 1.7 | 90 | 11 | 1:4000 |
| Yellow | 1.8 | 90 | 10 | 1:4000 |
| Orange | 3.2 | 120 | 11 | 1:7500 |
| Beige | 2.5 | 55 | 10 | 1:7500 |
| Brown | 3.2 | 70 | 10 | 1:7500 |
| Green | 4.8 | 80 | 9 | 1:10000 |
| Red | 6.1 | 165 | 12 | 1:10000 |
| Blue | 7.3 | 175 | 19 | 1:10000 |
Course Notes
Welcome orienteers to Cunningham Falls! This park has very few trails and is seated at the foot of the blue ridge mountains so expect lots of contouring and hillside navigation. Advanced courses start 0.75km and 110m up the main trail and traverse their way across and down the hillside. Beginner courses start near the aviary/nature center. All of the courses cover rocky terrain so please be careful to avoid ankle sprains. This is an active time of year for snakes, including timber rattlesnakes and copperheads, so even though they are generally non-aggressive please watch your step as they've been seen frequently! As for the map, it hasn't been updated that recently, so many areas of white along the main trail are more appropriately light green.
Registration
Pre-registration is required. Registration opens at 6pm on Monday Oct. 19 and closes at 12 noon Saturday Oct. 24.
Who's Registered? Check by clicking here.
Schedule
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Sunday, October 25
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location
Driving Directions
From US-15, 11 miles north of Frederick MD and 2.7 miles south of Thurmont, turn west onto Cunningham Falls Park Rd. After entering the park, keep following the road around to your left, past the parking lots, playground, visitor center and aviary, then park in the large parking lot at the bottom of the incline south of the aviary. Registration will be in the pavilion near the northeast corner of that parking lot.
Entry Fees
Individual 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.
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 $60 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.
- After completing their first course, orienteers who'd like to try a second one may do so with approval from the Event Director.
- 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
FAQ
- What should I expect at a QOC orienteering event?
Participants navigate through diverse terrain — wooded areas, open fields, and sometimes waterways — using a map and compass. QOC offers a full range of courses to suit every skill level, from beginner-friendly to advanced, so newcomers and experienced orienteers can compete side by side. Events test your navigation skills and endurance, and, for groups, teamwork, all at your own pace.
- What should I bring to a QOC event?
Comfortable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear suited to the terrain and weather, a water bottle and snacks, and a compass and whistle if you have them — loaners of both are available if needed.
- Do I need experience to try orienteering with QOC?
No experience is necessary. Beginner instruction is offered on-site at every event, and newcomers can prepare in advance with QOC's Your First Event and For Beginners pages, including this instructional video from QOC's David Onkst. Any other questions can be sent through our Contact Form.
- Can I orienteer with a group?
Yes — QOC welcomes groups of orienteers at most events. See our Group Leaders page for tips on running as a group, and check each event's Entry Fees section for group size limits and pricing.
- What is QOC's registration policy?
QOC uses pre-registration only — there is no day-of, on-site registration, and refunds are issued only if an event is cancelled. Each event's own Registration section lists that event's specific sign-up window.
- Are pets allowed at QOC events?
Well-behaved pets are welcome at most venues, but must be kept on a leash and under the owner's control at all times. Check each event's own announcement for any venue-specific restrictions.
- How can I volunteer at a QOC event?
QOC runs on volunteer support, from course setting and registration to control pickup — no experience is necessary for most roles. Each event's announcement includes a way to sign up (usually a SignUpGenius link) or to contact that event's director directly to offer help.
