Indian Valley Open Space Preserve
Date: (Sun.) May. 16, 2010
Location: Novato, CA
Event Director: 
- 415.383.4429
Course Setter: Heidi Whalen
Type: C; White, Yellow, Orange, and Brown courses (pending park approval)
Once again we return to the Indian Valley college campus and surrounding meadows and hills. In this BAOC tradition, we enjoy the spring wildflowers, and try to figure out what interesting wrinkles the college will throw our way. Two years ago a motorcycle training course was set up next to the first White control. Last year, one third of the campus was closed one week prior to the event. What will happen this year? Come and find out!
The campus has a network of trails, oak forested hillsides and meadows, and even some interesting gullies, in addition to the campus core of buildings. The hills are typical of Northern California terrain, so Orange and Brown courses are guaranteed to have some steep patches. And there is a very nice large sunny lawn next to Registration/Finish where you can share a picnic lunch afterward with friends.
White (beginner), Yellow (advanced beginner), Orange (intermediate), and Brown (advanced) courses will be offered, ably set by Heidi Whalen who also set the courses last year. Registration opens at 9:00 and closes at 12:00. A short, repeating beginners clinic will be available from approximately 9:30 through 11:30, depending on demand. All courses close at 2:00 PM and controls will be picked up at that time. Please honor the course closure time, come to the Finish and download your epunch stick, even if you have not completed your course by 2 PM.
Driving Directions
To get to the Indian Valley campus, take Highway 101 through Marin County to southern Novato, and exit at Ignacio Blvd. Go west on Ignacio Blvd as far as you can go, where it terminates at the College of Marin Indian Valley campus entrance. Follow the campus road to its end, and park in the huge parking lot.
Registration will be next to the swimming pool — the same spot we have used in past years.
There's a map here that shows the location of the event.
Public Transit
There is no public transit to Indian Valley College on weekends. The closest option is the Ignacio bus pad on Highway 101, which is a couple of miles away from the campus entrance.