Tahoe 4-Day
Day 4: Donner Memorial State Park
Date: (Mon.) Aug. 3, 2026
Location: Truckee, CA
Event Director: 
- 650.250.2878
Course Setter: Kyle Poland
Type: C; Day 4 of the Tahoe 4-Day events will provide a multiple-course Sprint event. Beginners and non-members are welcome, beginner instruction will be offered, and attendance at other Tahoe 4-Day events is not required. (pending park approval)
Related Event Information
Optional Online Registration (https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/register/start/tahoe4day2026) Main Tahoe 4-Day Page Day-1 Event Information Day-2 Event Information Day-3 Event Information Day-4 Event Information Day-4 Volunteer Sign-up (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-h7az9Kp-ocvFuisx1n_o3aWA_0DU3pN2GlmhSNh2xM/edit) Attackpoint Event Page (http://attackpoint.org/eventdetail.jsp/event_60560)
The information below is preliminary and subject to change.
For this fourth and final day of the Tahoe 4-Day event, we will visit Donner Memorial State Park (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=503). There will be three courses: Beginner, Short Sprint, and Long Sprint.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this event, including beginners and non-members. Free beginner instruction will be available during the time shown below.
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 PM: Starts are open for all the courses
- 12:30 PM: Everyone must have returned to the Finish
- Notes: Participants under age 18 who register at the event must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or bring with them a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. (The standard registration form is available here [12KB PDF]. Note, however, that some of the fees for this event might be different than those on the form.)
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 12:30 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 12:30, 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 prices table.)
- Note: In addition to the BAOC fees, the park charges a $10 vehicle day-use fee (possibly different on summer weekends) if you enter the park, but you will not need to do that to get to the Assembly Area.
Online registration for the Tahoe 4-day Package, and for individual events, will open closer to the event.
Registration for individual events (but not the Tahoe 4-day Package) will be available at the events.
Location of the Event
The event will be in Donner Memorial State Park, near Truckee. The driving directions and parking information are below.
The Assembly Area (Registration, E-punch, etc.) for the event will almost certainly be in a little alcove directly west of the main park Visitor Center — look for signs and orienteers.
Both the Start and the Finish are short walks from The Assembly Area.
The park charges a $10 vehicle day-use fee (possibly different on summer weekends) if you actually enter the park, but you will not need to do that to get to the Assembly Area.
Venue Facilities
There are nice indoor restroom facilities in the Visitor Center, but it does not open until 10 AM. If you arrive at the park before that, you will need to use the porta-potties outside. Or there are several nearby gas stations that can probably accommodate you.
Water will be available near the Assembly Area.
What to Bring
For the Beginner course, comfortable outdoors attire and shoes are fine.
For the Short and Long courses, a steeper hillside might be a bit slippery due to dry leaves and loose dirt, so shoes with good grip are recommended. Long pants and/or gaiters should not be necessary.
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
The course details will be available here closer to the event. There will probably be Beginner, Short, and Long courses. The Short and Long courses will be Advanced courses.
Hazards
Fortunately, there is no poison oak in the Sierras! 😊
However, deer ticks are found in this area, and they might carry Lyme disease. So, please be sure to check yourself carefully after the event.
You should be mindful of dehydration because the high-altitude air will be dry. That concern will be even greater if the weather is hot. So, you should consider carrying water while on your course.
Also because of the altitude, there will be increased risk of sunburn, so be sure to use plenty of quality sunscreen.
Volunteers Needed
As always, we need volunteers for this event.
Please consider volunteering to help — even part of a shift will help! Previous experience is not needed (except for Beginner Clinics), and easy training will be provided as needed, so please don't hesitate to sign up.
The shifts and current assignments are shown in this form (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-h7az9Kp-ocvFuisx1n_o3aWA_0DU3pN2GlmhSNh2xM/edit). You can check the form to see what's available, then put your name on the form. If you want, you can send email to , the Event Coordinator, or to , the Event Director, to indicate your interest or ask where they would like help. Rex or Ouri will respond back to you.
Driving Directions
Donner Memorial State Park is off I-80 at the west end of Truckee (12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161). The approximate coordinates of the Assembly Area are 39.3238,-120.2327.
From westbound I-80: Take exit 184 for Donner Pass Rd, and turn left onto Donner Pass Rd. After crossing I-80, go "straight" through the traffic circle. The park entrance will be on the left after about 0.3 mile.
From Tahoe City: Take Highway 89 north to westbound I-80. Take the first exit (#184) and continue as described above.
From Kings Beach: Take Highway 267 north to westbound I-80. Continue as described above.
Parking
Parking will be in the lot at the park Visitor Center. You will not need to pay the park entrance fee if you are going only to that parking lot.