For this third day of the Tahoe 4-Day event, we have yet another new map, of Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park (on the west side of highway CA 89, not the beach side), and we're offering Summer Series courses. Anyone can do the courses, which are Beginner, Short advanced, and Long advanced — and you can score points for the BAOC Summer Series if you care about that sort of thing.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this event, including beginners and non-members. Free beginner instruction will be available during the time shown below.
As an added feature, this is the fourth event of the BAOC 2026 Summer Series.
Note: Attendance at other Taheo 4-Day or Summer Series events is not required.
Schedule ↑
The following non-standard event schedule will be followed:
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Registration is open
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Beginner instruction is available (free)
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Starts are open for all the courses
2:00 PM: Everyone must have returned to the Finish
Note that you can register and start on the courses anytime during the open times above. Thus, for example, you do not need to be "punctual" at 9:00. (You can if you want, but please don't show up earlier and expect to be served.)
Beginner instruction is 15–20 minute, repeating sessions ("clinics") that introduce the sport of orienteering, and provide enough instruction to be able to complete a beginner (White or Yellow) course.
Note: Beginners are given their course maps at registration. You should get your map before joining a beginner clinic.
Everyone must return to the Finish by 2:00 PM, and then promptly go to the download tent, even if they have not completed their course. Please do not leave without checking in! If there are unaccounted people after 2:00, we must initiate a search for them.
Costs & Registration ↑
Since this is a "special" event, the standard BAOC registration fees do not apply.
The prices for the Tahoe 4-Day Package and for individual events are shown on the main Tahoe 4-Day event webpage. (Be sure to read the notes below the table of prices.)
Note: In addition to the BAOC fees, the park charges a $10 vehicle day-use fee (possibly different on summer weekends). Online registration closed on July 28th. However, registration for individual events (but not the Tahoe 4-day Package) will be available at all the events.
The list of current registrations is available here.
Location of the Event ↑
The Assembly Area (e.g., Registration and E-punch) will be located by the day-use parking lot of Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, on the west side of highway CA 89 (W Lake Blvd.). When you enter the park, pay the $10 day-use fee, then turn left immediately into the day-use parking lot. That's where the portapotties will be, and registration, and E-punch download, etc.
The driving directions are below. This park map might be useful (zoom in for details; look for the cluster of parking areas close to the highway).
Note: If the park entrance is not staffed, you will need to pay the $10 day-use fee by cash in an envelope.
Venue Facilities ↑
Matteo, our Event Director, has arranged for a few portapotties at the Assembly Area.
Water will be available near the Assembly Area.
It's approximately 0.8 miles walk to the Start/Finish near campsites 150, 157. Along the way, there are campground restrooms you can use if nature calls again. Or if you're waiting to start, or just finished, there are campground restrooms close by the Start/Finish area.
What to Bring ↑
Due to the dry air and altitude, consider taking water on your course even if you normally wouldn't. Don't forget sunscreen and possibly a hat!
For the Beginner course, comfortable outdoors attire and shoes are fine.
For the (advanced) Short and Long courses, the hillsides can be a bit slippery due to dry leaves and loose dirt, so shoes with good grip are highly recommended. Long pants and/or gaiters might be desirable because of undergrowth.
A compass is not required, but can be very helpful — and can improve safety — so is recommended. We have compasses available for a $1 rental fee.
We time the courses with the SPORTident system, so each entry/team needs to have a SPORTident E-punch fingerstick. If you don't have your own, you can rent one at Registration for $5. (Use of the "E-punch" system is easy. You can learn how at the event, or read about it here.)
Courses ↑
As this is a Summer Series event, there are Beginner, Short, and Long courses. The Short and Long courses involve advanced navigation, and can count toward the Summer Series standings as explained below.
Here are the course details:
Course Length Climb Controls Navigation
Beginner 2.8 km 50 m 9 Trails
Short 3.1 km 120 m 12 Advanced
Long 5.3 km 210 m 16 Advanced
Beginners should be aware that the course lengths shown are the cumulative straight-line distances between controls. The climb numbers represent the amount of ascending that would be done on the "optimum route" (in the Course Setters' opinion), without regard for any descending. Because you won't travel in straight lines, and might not follow the optimum routes, your actual distance and climb will be somewhat more than what is shown above, and will depend on your route choices (and any errors you make).
For the Short and Long courses, keep in mind that you can earn Summer Series points from only the first course you run at the event, and only if it's one of the ranking courses. That is, you will not earn points if you run the Beginner course first and then one of the ranking courses. (Also, groups cannot earn Summer Series points.)
The Beginner course is for beginners and young children. This is a great warmup if you're trying orienteering for the first time. You get to see the map before the start and experience how everything works. After the Beginner course, if you want some more, you can do either of the other courses (as long as you pay the difference in fees, start before 12:30, and finish by 2:00).
The walk to the Start/Finish (which is near campsites 150, 157) is approximately 0.8 miles. You'll get a campground map to help you get to the Start.