DRIGGS, Idaho — Mountain bike enthusiasts couldn’t have been happier for the return of the famed Cairbou Jack this past weekend.

Born in 2018, Caribou Jack is a blind-format, four-stage backcountry enduro race through the Big Holes of Teton Valley, with multiple trail work days throughout the summer that lead up to it.

First place finisher for women, Anna Marno looked strong and steady. Photo Alex Pashley

“The event was never really about race,” said the event founder, and organizer Nate Kirschner. It was about getting people involved in rehabilitating an old trail system, showing off the hard work that has gone into these most excellent backcountry gems, and celebrating mountain biking.”

Men’s Top Three

  1. Sam Shultz
  2. Branham Snyder
  3. Max Marno

Women’s Top Three

  1. Anna Marno
  2. Jess Freeze
  3. Sophie Danforth
The Caribou Jack awards. Photo Alex Pashley.

“Everyone seemed really stoked, tired, but happy,” said Kirschner.

Racers were treated to hot pizzas and cold beers at Swan Valley’s Hanen Guest Ranch. Photo: Alex Pashley.

Caribou Jack is a Mountain Bike the Tetons event, presented by Rocky Mountain Bikes, Smartwool, Patagonia and Melvin Brewing. In 2014 Mountain Bike the Tetons (MBT) was officially designated an IMBA Chapter and granted 501c(3) charitable not-for-profit status.

First-place men’s racer, Sam Shultz opens it up on the single-track. Photo: Alex Pashley.

The legend goes, Jesse “Caribou” Jack Fairchilds, came to Idaho in 1869, as a miner who loved a good story. After a good session at a saloon in Soda Springs, he heard of a wounded grizzly bear on the banks of the Bear River. Caribou Jack set off on what would be his last hunt. Fairchilds became the namesake for the Caribou-Targhee National Forest which occupies over three million acres and stretches across southeastern Idaho; from the Montana, Utah and Wyoming borders.

Today, the Caribou Jack enduro race lives on in his name.

Toby Koekkoek is a Community News Reporter, and a recent resident of Teton Valley. He enjoys writing about our region's community events and the movers and shakers that make up the culture of this unique mountain town. He enjoys deep powder, and deep thoughts, skateboarding, playing racquet sports, riding his bike, and nerding out on music. Toby also coaches freeride skiing for the Jackson Hole Ski Club and runs skateboard camps in the summer.