Orienteering 101
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
Helpful Hints:
Watch where you put your feet; respect
the vegetation as much as possible by
not trampling it.
While participating in this course, try
to limit the number of people in your
group to no more than six.
Orienteering
Trail
AT ELEVEN MILE STATE PARK
Remember — if you get lost just follow
the Midland Trail back to the trailhead.
If you are lost in the woods (meaning
Are you ready for a crash course in
the art of orienteering?
O
rienteering is the art of using a
compass and map to find your way in
the woods; or, in this case, to navigate
around a course with a set of predetermined
locations called waypoint markers.
Scattered around the Backcountry landscape you
will find the nine waypoint (and thirty-two sub
point) markers. Each point is a composite plaque
with the point number marked on it. The nine
waypoints are embedded within rock mounds
that are 9–12" tall. The sub points all lie flat on
the ground.
you lack a compass), keep in mind that
moss generally grows on the north side
of a tree.
When hiking in bear and/or mountain
lion country, be aware of your
surroundings; make some noise (you
don’t have to be loud, but try not to
creep silently).
To find these points, you must follow the
directions located on the inside of this brochure.
Paces are measured as five feet in length. This is
roughly the distance an average person would
walk when taking two steps.
The starting point is the sign posted near
Backcountry campsite #901. You’ll notice the
first step is to walk 148 paces at 359 degrees. This
should bring you to the first sub point #1A.
Eleven Mile State Park
4229 County Road 92 • Lake George, CO 80827
719-748-3401 • cpw.state.co.us
Look at your compass; turn
the dial on your compass
until the red half of the
floating arrow is within
the painted red arrow on
the bottom of the compass.
Locate 359 degrees on the
compass while keeping the
floating arrow within the
red painted arrow.
To find the first sub point, simply walk 148 paces
in the direction of 359 degrees.
(Hint: You should look as far in that exact
direction as you can to find some type of
landmark to walk towards).
Keep in mind that while paces are approximate,
they should still get you close enough to see the
marker. Also, remember that the directions to
the next target will begin exactly at the marker
you have just reached.
The total trail length is
3.16 miles.
For new and current information on
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
visit us online at
cpw.state.co.us
SEEM1202-PDF-07/14
cpw.state.co.us
Waypoint One:
Waypoint Eight:
Start at this sign. Take 148 paces at 359 degrees;
then 37 paces at 82 degrees; then 137 paces at
18 degrees; then 67 paces at 65 degrees.
Take 113 paces at 205 degrees; then 67 paces
at 268 degrees; then 116 paces at 11 degrees;
then 153 paces at 34 degrees.
5
5A
Waypoint Two:
Take 39 paces at 171 degrees; then 29 paces at
85 degrees; then 87 paces at 201 degrees; then
45 paces at 70 degrees; then 63 paces at
213 degrees; then 55 paces at 107 degrees.
1C
Waypoint Three:
Take 48 paces at 210 degrees; then 74 paces at
124 degrees; then 94 paces at 36 degrees; then
44 paces at 308 degrees.
Waypoint Four:
1B
1A
Take 54 paces at 329 degrees; then 65 paces
at 16 degrees; then 98 paces at 322 degrees;
then 52 paces at 81 degrees; then 65 paces at
357 degrees.
2E
4
END
6C
3C
3B
9C
9
9A
Take 88 paces at 268 degrees; then 71 paces at
158 degrees; then 48 paces at 94 degrees; then
128 paces at 239 degrees.
7A
7B
8C
7C
8
Waypoint Seven:
7D
8B
8A
If you are standing at the same sign that you
began the course at, located near Backcountry
campsite #901, then you made it.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Follow the Midland Trail back to the Coyote
Ridge parking lot to return to your vehicle.
7
9B
BEGIN
6
6B
3
Waypoint Six:
Take 122 paces at 142 degrees; then 86 paces
at 244 degrees; then 78 paces at 127 degrees;
then 108 paces at 237 degrees; then 56 paces
at 323 degrees.
6A
4A
3A
Waypoint Five:
Take 98 paces at 84 degrees; then 108 paces at
161 degrees; then 73 paces at 81 degrees; then
90 paces at 137 degrees.
4B
2D
9D
5C
5B
2A 2B
2C
Take 115 paces at 233 degrees; then 108 paces
at 303 degrees; then 34 paces at 198 degrees;
then 100 paces at 338 degrees; then 132 paces
at 214 degrees.
4D
4C
2
Waypoint Nine:
