STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

You can’t—cannot—stay inside during these beautiful long evenings surrounding the Solstice in the Wood River Valley.

And Muffy Ritz and the Wood River Trails Coalition have just the thing—a free orienteering challenge designed for adults and kids alike.

The free orienteering event will be held Monday, June 21, at Greenhorn a few miles south of Ketchum. Participants can start any time between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. at the Greenhorn Trailhead, provided they return to the trailhead by 7 p.m.

There will be an adult course and a kids treasure hunt involving trinkets like horseshoes, bike bells and sweatbands.

“No compasses are needed and it’s a fairly beginner event for all people on foot, bicycles, Ebikes, motorcycles, horses, burros, camels—you name it!” said Muffy Ritz. “There will be pizza, beer and other beverages after the event.”

The event is open to all ages. Compasses are not needed—participants are asked to use the navigation tools they would normally have out on the trail.

Those who wish to use their phones should pre-download their favorite mapping system, whether it be Gaia, Caltopo or some other app, as there is no service in Greenhorn.

Physical maps will also be available with the locations marked.

Official orienteering control markers will be placed on and off Greenhorn trails. Once a marker is found, participants can punch their cards as proof since each marker has an original punch pattern.

“It’s not a race. It’s just an event. But I’m sure people will try to win their category,” said Ritz. “And it’s free—just a Wood River Trails Coalition awareness event just for fun. No strings attached—except to your burro.”