Avalanche Preserve reviews
11
1
Coulda, woulda, shoulda! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:May 15, 2009
Played the course:once
Pros:
All the holes on this course were interesting and challenging with holes ranging from short little doglegs around trees to wide-open big-arm shots that required missing isolated trees and bushes in the fairway on the front 9. One hole (#8) was a veritable pinball fest with the tiniest straight fairway to the basket. Holes from #11 on are mostly wooded until you on reach #17. Both #17 and #18 are back to being mostly open, with a really nice view from #18 and 2 large decks for resting before slogging down the 400+ stairs back to the parking lot.
I felt that this course required not just a full range of shots, but also some serious consideration of "the best" shot combination for any particular hole. Bad drives on a couple of holes on the back 9 could mean chasing your disc rolling down some very large hills.
The remaining etched slate tee markers were beautiful and well constructed, although at least one (#6?) was etched backwards making it look like the hole was a dogleg right when it was actually a left. With the exception of crossing the No Trespassing signs at the now defunct hole #3, navigation was simple since the course follows the main hiking trail and Next Tee signs were installed on the longest hikes and other areas where required. The terrain was varied and amazing, and the entire park was spotless as far as trash. The restrooms at the parking lot are also quite nice.
I felt that this course required not just a full range of shots, but also some serious consideration of "the best" shot combination for any particular hole. Bad drives on a couple of holes on the back 9 could mean chasing your disc rolling down some very large hills.
The remaining etched slate tee markers were beautiful and well constructed, although at least one (#6?) was etched backwards making it look like the hole was a dogleg right when it was actually a left. With the exception of crossing the No Trespassing signs at the now defunct hole #3, navigation was simple since the course follows the main hiking trail and Next Tee signs were installed on the longest hikes and other areas where required. The terrain was varied and amazing, and the entire park was spotless as far as trash. The restrooms at the parking lot are also quite nice.
Cons:
BUT........
This park is waaay under-utilized for disc golf, with huge pointless uphill hikes between several holes, stunning terrain changes that weren't incorporated in the course, and shots along and across the main hiking trail. Huhn??? At least twice we almost hit hikers on the trail. In addition, I really can't figure out why they make you walk down 400+ stairs at the end instead of installing a signature hole with a beautiful downhill glide. This course could easily accommodate an additional and completely unique 12-18 holes without changing the basic course routing or interfering further with the hiking or biking trails.
Vandalism has robbed the course of any tee markings after hole 9, and the dirt tee pads with nice rock edging, while beautiful and perfect for this rustic setting, were not well tended, with dangerously rutted loose dirt.
This park is waaay under-utilized for disc golf, with huge pointless uphill hikes between several holes, stunning terrain changes that weren't incorporated in the course, and shots along and across the main hiking trail. Huhn??? At least twice we almost hit hikers on the trail. In addition, I really can't figure out why they make you walk down 400+ stairs at the end instead of installing a signature hole with a beautiful downhill glide. This course could easily accommodate an additional and completely unique 12-18 holes without changing the basic course routing or interfering further with the hiking or biking trails.
Vandalism has robbed the course of any tee markings after hole 9, and the dirt tee pads with nice rock edging, while beautiful and perfect for this rustic setting, were not well tended, with dangerously rutted loose dirt.
Other Thoughts:
This course coulda, woulda, shoulda been an amazing experience (on a par with Myles Kimmerly), but a serious lack of planning during course design and deficient continuing course upkeep makes this merely a strenuous uphill hike with some discing thrown in.
Once we were back at the parking lot, locals told us there are three alternate holes in the build process, accessible by hiking back up the trail from #18 toward #17, then a right turn and follow the new trail. We didn't feel like clambering all the way back up, so we skipped them this time, but I'll report back on them next time we go.
If you're a mountain biker, definitely take your bike. The bike trail parallels much of the DG course and it looks to be quite a ride with big climbs, plenty of off-camber and side-hill stuff, whoops, switchbacks, climbs, and rockin' downhills......riding the bike trail should offset the disappointment of the DG course (oh, and I didn't see any obvious sand pits!).
Once we were back at the parking lot, locals told us there are three alternate holes in the build process, accessible by hiking back up the trail from #18 toward #17, then a right turn and follow the new trail. We didn't feel like clambering all the way back up, so we skipped them this time, but I'll report back on them next time we go.
If you're a mountain biker, definitely take your bike. The bike trail parallels much of the DG course and it looks to be quite a ride with big climbs, plenty of off-camber and side-hill stuff, whoops, switchbacks, climbs, and rockin' downhills......riding the bike trail should offset the disappointment of the DG course (oh, and I didn't see any obvious sand pits!).
