Orienteering

[azhiker96]

There is an orienteering meet in the Superstition Wilderness, starting from First Water Trailhead. This would be a good chance to learn/practice your land navigation skills (map and compass)


Score-O at First Water

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2002
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM MST (GMT-07:00)

Join us Saturday, December 14th, at a site in the Superstitions
just east of Apache Junction. Develop your land navigation
skills, compete for best score, or just enjoy a day outside!
Bring a bag lunch and a lawn chair and hang around awhile!
This event is a Score-O type of event where the goal is to find
as many controls as you can, in any order, in the time allowed
(2 hours maximum). Points are assigned to each control and the
challenge is to maximize your score through strategic route
planning. People of all skill levels can participate and there
will be a beginner's clinic.
You may start anytime after the course opens and competitors
have up to 2 hours to finish the event. Everyone, including
non-competitors, must be off the course by 1:00 when the course
closes. Water will be available only at the parking area so
bring a water bottle to have with you on the course.

Schedule:
Registration 9:00
Beginner's Clinic 9:30
Course opens 9:30
Course closes 1:00
Cost: (member/non-member)
Individual $4/$5
Family / team rate $6/$7

Directions to First Water From Phoenix:
From Phoenix take US60 (Superstition Freeway) east to Idaho
Road/State Route 88, exit 196. Turn north (left). At about 0.4
miles after crossing The Old West Highway, a divided road with
two sets of signals, SR88 turns to the northwest leaving Idaho
Road. About five miles from Idaho Rd/SR88 junction will be the
entrance to Lost Dutchman State Park. About 0.25 miles past the
park entrance turn east (right) onto Forest Road 78, First
WaterTrailhead Road, which is an all-weather dirt road. Proceed
about 2.4 miles from SR88 to the meet on the north side (left)
or FR78 (the overflow parking area). If you get to the
trailhead, go back 0.5 miles to the meet site. There is plenty
of parking, however the Forest Service charges a $4 parking fee
for day use.
A whistle is required for all participants. Some are available
to purchase for $1. Compasses are available to rent for $1. Map
is included.