Needle Rock Navigation Challenge
3-/6-Hour Courses
Navigate on Foot and/or Bike

Introduction

We're excited to offer a day of navigation fun at Needle Rock, an interesting site along the Verde River in Tonto National Forest. On Sunday, November 17, we'll present a single course in the hills and cliffs surrounding Needle Rock. Participants are allowed to travel by bike, on foot, or any combination of the two to visit as many destinations as they can in the 3-hour or 6-hour time limits. The event lets you practice your navigation skills using different modes of travel.

For the 6-hour event, in order to get the full 6-hours to visit controls, participants must start before 8:00 AM. The course closes at 2:00 PM. Those wanting a 3-hour challenge can start the course up to 11:00 AM. Both courses use the same two tabloid-sized maps; a 1:10000 scale map more suited to foot travel and a 1:15000 map that covers an area criss-crossed by ATV and OHV trails.

The terrain in spots is dramatic. Forty-foot cliffs overlook several winding dry washes. The scenery in these areas is spectacular. In other spots, the watershed is less dramatic but filled with a network of interconnecting drainages. Desert vegetation in the drainages is often thick. In between the drainages, the vegetation is less dense, giving those on foot the opportunity to travel direct paths between destinations. The area is filled with vehicle trails, both single and double track, which aids those traveling by mountain bikes. Some of the larger washes are quite sandy, making travel by bike more difficult.

We hope you'll consider joining us for a fun day of navigation fun.

Parental Consent:

Parental Consent Now Required (Click here for more information)
All participants under age 18 are now required to have a signed parental consent form on file with the club. You can complete the form before the event and either scan it and send it to us by e-mail or bring it with you to the event.

Pre-Registration

Pre-registration is required for the Needle Rock events. Participants register individually. Participants may organize as a team onsite.

Pre-Registration is open until Thursday, November 14 at 11:59 PM. We will only print enough maps to cover those who have pre-registered for the event. Click Pre-Register this pre-register for the event.

Donation

• 6-Hour: $30/participant.
• 3-Hour: $15/participant.

What to Bring:

• Whistle (Mandatory for all. Available for purchase for $1)
• Compass (Mandatory for all. Available for rent for $1)
• Water. We will have water at the start/finish . We will also have a couple water stations on the course. Even though the course will have water stops, we strongly recommend that you bring your own water bottles or a camelback.
• Helmet. Mandatory for anyone participating in the bike event.
• Sun screen. There is little or no shade on the course.
• Sturdy hiking shoes and long pants are recommended. You may encounter cactus, cat claw, and loose terrain, especially on the Score-O.