By Kyle Poland

We have set three courses at Donner Memorial State Park for the Monday event: Beginner, Short advanced, and Long advanced. The advanced courses are slightly longer than normal Sprint courses at 2.4 km and 3.5 km, respectively. The clearing (yellow) and open-woods (white) areas on the map are easily runnable, and the courses should be fast for those who choose to go fast. However the light-green and dark-green map areas are dense, and you should stick to paths and roads through those areas rather than trying to fight through off trails in green sections. The courses are largely flat, with some slight elevation in the south section of the Long advanced course.

Cautions ↑

The main cautions on the courses are to watch for cars on the roads in the park, and to avoid entering or crossing campsites in the campground areas. In previous years there have been complaints about orienteers crossing through campsites. (There have even been complaints about people running close to campsites, so please do not go close to campsites.) The courses are designed to route you around the campgrounds, which are marked as out-of-bounds areas on the map. Please respect these areas and the campers, so we can continue to use this park in the future.

Note: The roads through the campgrounds are out of bounds. However, no benefit would be gained by using them.

There are no wildlife concerns, and poison oak is not prevalent. Ticks are uncommon, but you should still check when you complete the course.

Assembly Area ↑

The Assembly Area will be next to the main parking lot by the Visitor Center. Restrooms are located inside the Visitor Center building. There is a short, 10-minute walk from the Assembly Area to the course Starts; take the main southwest road through the park, and bear right at the fork in the road after crossing the bridge.

Note: The $10 per vehicle State Park entry fee must be paid if you park in the lot at the Visitor Center. There are some parking spots on the side of the road west of the park entrance — from there you can walk to the Assembly Area (with no fee).

Driving Directions ↑

Traffic can be heavy, so leave plenty of time to get to the venue.

Donner Memorial State Park is off I-80 at the west end of Truckee (12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161). The approximate coordinates of the Assembly Area are 39.3238,-120.2327.

From westbound I-80: Take exit 184 for Donner Pass Rd, and turn left onto Donner Pass Rd. After crossing I-80, go "straight" through the traffic circle. The park entrance will be on the left after about 0.3 mile.

From Tahoe City: Take Highway 89 north to westbound I-80. Take the first exit (#184) and continue as described above.

From Kings Beach: Take Highway 267 north to westbound I-80. Continue as described above.

Parking ↑

Parking will be in the lot at the park Visitor Center.

Note:
Even though you will not need to go through the park entrance to get to the lot, you must pay the $10 day-use fee if you are going to park in that lot. You can get a parking pass from an automated kiosk in the lot, inside the Visitor Center, or at the park entrance. Any of the California State Parks Passes also work. There are some parking spots on the side of the road west of the park entrance — from there you can walk to the Assembly Area (with no fee).