Great Falls

It’s beautiful, open, sometimes tricky Great Falls! If you've been here before you’ve probably been to many if not most of these control locations. That should about cover it.

You want to know more, even this late? Okay, first, we have an agreement with the NPS that we’ll use pre-approved control sites, limit our numbers, and keep out of the sensitive areas (marked as out of bounds). In return, we get to come back every year and run around in this fantastic park. I tried to set courses that are different from the past two years, but it’s inevitable that there are some similarities, given the restraints. But it’s still tricky in places—the contours don’t always do what you expect—and the woods are so open and fun to run through that you’ll still enjoy yourself.

The woods are mostly open and fast. The light green on the map is primarily large-leafed saplings; it’s not hard to get through but the visibility is lower. I saw no Japanese stiltgrass in the woods so no vegetative worries underfoot. There are some areas of deadfall but they’re easy to avoid. There’s some unmapped green you’ll probably encounter, so, as always, don’t navigate primarily by vegetation. The contours and trails are reliable. Stay out of the areas marked out-of-bounds.

It’s hilly. Point features, especially rock features, are small, except for pits. Pits — remember this was an area mined for gold back in the day — range in size from normal (small) to really big. The big ones are mapped using contours. There are some areas of stony ground, not necessarily enough to be mapped but enough to trip you up if you’re not careful. So watch your feet. The trails can be rocky as well so pay attention while running on them. We’re just past peak leaf color, and about half of the leaves are probably on the ground. The trails are covered with leaves and, while they’re generally easy to follow while you’re on them, you can easily run across them without seeing them.

There are very few wet areas in the forest. You will not get your feet wet. Unless you wander into an out-of-bounds stream valley. (Don't.)

On the Beginner’s course, there are some controls that are not on the trail. One is well off the trail. I hung the control high and if you look in the right direction, you can see the control. It may be streamered (some streamers from the trail but not back) if I have time. If you are careful and pay attention, you should be able to find the control.

Have fun working off all that Halloween candy you stole from your kids (or the stash you didn’t give away). It should be another beautiful day in the Great Falls woods. Oh, one last thing: this park is popular with non-orienteers, especially when the weather is nice. Please don’t run down a tourist.