Mini-WL #1 – Bridle Trails State Park
2021 Mini Winter League
Saturday, March 6 at Bridle Trails State Park in Kirkland, WA
Meet Director: Michelle KastnerJulia Morse
Here is the start list for Bridle Trails.
Here is the site map. Start is not in the same location as always.
If you want a separate course description sheet, you must print it yourself.
We must stay on the trails at all times.
Check in 20 minutes before your start at the check in tent!
This is the first meet in the 2021 Mini-Winter League Series. For all the information you need on how this series will run, see the series page.
Rules for all Mini-Winter League Meets:
In order to get permits, we must impose the following rules:
- 200 participants max.
- No spectators allowed. No team tents. No team gatherings.
- Runners will be asked to leave the venue upon completion of their course.
- No comparing route choices, standing in groups, staying around after you run. Use route-gadget and other virtual tools to compare your results after the event.
- Facial coverings required for all coaches, volunteers, and athletes at all times.
- Maintain 6’ of distance at all times, when not running a course.
- Read all the special rules for this series here.
Rules for Bridle Trails Park:
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This is a TRAILS ONLY event. Please navigate on your own and stay on trails.
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Bridle Trails is a park shared with horses and their riders, and the rules of the park state : Runners have the responsibility to make their presence known to equestrians and to stand by the side of the trail until horses pass.
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If you are trying to pass a horse and rider from behind, please announce your presence and ask if it is alright to pass. Wait for the rider to answer and pass with as much clearance as possible.
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A Discover Pass is required to park at this venue.
- DO NOT park on NE 60th and walk through the park to the check-in area – you will be DQ’d from competition for the day!
COURSES
Course designer(s): Dave Tallent
Course distances will be provided here once the courses are finalized.
|
Course |
Controls |
Length |
Climb |
| Elementary/Beginner | 8 | 1.3 km | 20 m |
| Middle School | 8 | 2.0 km | 30 m |
| JV Rookie/Advanced Beginner | 8 | 2.0 km | 30 m |
| JV Girls/Intermediate | 9 | 3.5 km | 50 m |
| JV Boys | 9 | 3.5 km | 50 m |
| Varsity | 13 | 4.6 km | 80 m |
| Short Advanced | 13 | 4.6 km | 80 m |
| Intercollegiate/Long Advanced | 17 | 6.3 km | 120 m |
How are courses measured?
Courses are measured as the crow flies, in a direct line from control to control. Unless you have wings, you will travel farther than this distance! Courses are measured in kilometers, so a good rule of thumb is to simply round up to miles to estimate how far you will go. So in a 5 kilometer race, you’ll likely travel up to 5 miles.
COURSE NOTES
The map has been updated. Most noticeably, trail shapes had been corrected.
Since Bridle Trails is a trails only race, the courses have been designed to maximize decision making, and hence, keeping track of your position (thumbing along) will be essential to prevent getting lost. If you do find yourself in this predicament, bailout to one of the major trails or to the powerline to relocate.
Since it is imperative that we do not go off trail at this venue, the controls are centered on the trails very close to the features.
Also, you will most likely encounter other controls not on your course. I highly recommend that you double check the control codes to avoid being DNF’d for a wrong punch.
The courses are fast. Be careful not to overrun your ability to map read. Above all, have fun. If you should encounter horses, stop running and let them pass.
Dave Tallent
SCHEDULE
9:30 am – Check in opens
10:00 am – Start opens
1pm – Start closes
3 pm – Course closes
PRICES
PRE-REGISTRATION PRICES
$13 non-members
$8 for CascadeOC members
SIGN UP
LOCATION
PARKING
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Parking is available at the park, please see site map.
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A Discover Pass is required.
THE MAP
Bridle trails is an on-trail-only venue, with chest-deep salal on both sides and rumors of some old wells and pits in the underbrush. But it makes up for this navigational limitation by having an intricate network of trails that make it a perfect place to practice a range of skills:
- Feature recognition (What is the shape of this trail?)
- Compass use (Which way does this trail go?)
- Pace counting (Should I be expecting an intersection soon?)
- Contours (Is this trail supposed to be going down or up?)
Navigationally, this is a 1:10,000 map of three levels of trail network and a wide power line strip through the center. It is bounded on the outer edge by a series of perimeter trails that border roads, with a center of activity on the west side.
NOTE: Bridle Trails is a horse-focused park. If a horse is on course and need to approach, slow down and make your presence known verbally to keep the horse from spooking. The animals may be bigger than you, but you’re a lot scarier than they are!
Read more on the map pageSAFETY & ETIQUETTE
Return to the Finish
All participants MUST return to the finish and download their e-punch or turn in their punch card.
Even if you have not finished your course, you must still return to the the finish and confirm with event staff that you have returned safely.
Out of Bounds
Some areas may be marked out of bounds. It is imperative to respect these boundaries to maintain our relationships with land managers. Participants MUST NOT go out of bounds. Any participant caught going out of bounds will be disqualified.
Course Closure
All participants MUST return to the finish by course closure time. If a participant does not return by course closure, event volunteers will begin coordinating a search party.
If you need a long time on the course, start as early in the start window as possible, wear a watch, and be prepared to cut your course short to make it back by the course closure time.
Whistle
All participants MUST carry a whistle on the course. Complimentary whistles are available at the start tent (please only take one).
If you are injured on the course and need assistance, blow three long blasts to call for help.
If you hear a call for help, abandon your course to find the person in distress.
Voices
Part of the fun and fairness of orienteering is navigating your own course, so please be polite when you find a checkpoint and don’t holler that you’ve found it.
