Pros:
This course has a lot of technical demand, especially on the back 9. I have played through some fairly tightly wooded fairways, but they seem like 4-lane highways compared to some of these fairways.
What I really enjoyed were several holes that had an "S" designed into the fairway, not just a standard straight shot (like hole 10) at the basket or a hard dogleg right or left (like hole 9 or hole 17, respectively).
What really makes this course fun and challenging is not just the tight alleys you have to throw through, but when you get past hole 11, and until you get back to hole 17, you have to contend with massive drop-offs on the left. Some edges are closer than others, and can wreak havoc for a RHBH who doesn't have great control over their throws. This is the first course I've ever played where I was INTIMIDATED into throwing a RHFH, even though I don't do very well at them. The basket on Hole 13 is on the end of the ridge, where you turn back to head toward the starting point, and the basket is a mere 10-15 feet from a LARGE drop-off. I almost had to play taps for my aviar p&a, but luckily it was saved by a tree.
My favorite hole was number 18. Fairly long, throwing from an elevated area on the left, with a huge drop-off to the right, with a middle ground that starts way below, and meets the path on the left by the basket. Check out the pictures, but believe me it is hard to do this hole justice with just a couple photos. If I'd had more time I would have play this hole several times.
Now I have commented before that a course requires every shot in you bag to do well, but none have shown it as well as this one. With the exception of a roller (which actually would have been beneficial a couple of times), I DID throw every shot. Not because that was the best shot, but because I had to, due to the terrain and natural obstacles.
All tee pads were concrete and in great shape, and all baskets I believe were dual-chain style, and none seem to have been damaged, unlike the lower course.
I love the natural feel of this course, and it doesn't feel like a "park" like most courses do. I like the feel that you're out on a hike on a little used trail, and scenery is awesome, especially looking of the cliffs!
Do I like it as much as the bottom course? I feel they both have equal appeal to me, but for different reasons. I like the elevation changes of the lower course, but the technical aspects of the upper course are what would make me choose it if I had to pick one.
Cons:
As with the lower course, navigation could stand to be improved. The map at the parking area would probably be just good enough to where you don't get lost in the woods. I was fortunate enough to have a local to shoot a round with, otherwise it would have been an all day affair. Just knowing which path to take could mean the difference between ready for tee-off, and crap where the heck am I? Be especially attentive when trying to find 17's tee when coming back from 16's basket. On the main path there are a couple steel spikes in the ground that mark where you turn off to go to the tee, but no signs or clear path are evident just looking from the main path. Additionally, be careful going from 17's basket to 18's tee. There is a sign from 17's basket pointing in that direction, but be sure to follow the blue-marked trees or you may need a GPS to find your way out.
Also, only about a third to half of the tees had tee signs that had not be damaged or completely removed. The ones that were there were rudimentary at best.
I suggest taking a local with you if you can, or at least someone who has played the course before.
There are no facilities up there, so you'd have to drive a couple miles to the other part of the park, or go before you get there.
Some "next tee" signs as well as some general directional signs would be a welcome addition.
Other Thoughts:
This was a really fun course. It probably would have been a little easier when leaves weren't covering just about every square inch, or if the ground weren't only half solid due to all the recent rain.
I give this course a 3.5 and not higher because it needs a couple of fundamentals addressed that would really make the overall experience much more enjoyable, mostly for visitors, locals probably don't have much problem, but hey the purpose of these reviews is for the benefit of those who've never played the course before.
If I return down the road and they have fixed some of the issues, I will gladly adjust my score.
Take your boots, maybe even a GPS just in case, or a local if you can find one.