Local columnist launches Basin-wide treasure hunt

Readers across the Big Horn Basin will soon have more than trivia to look forward to.

Beginning in April, John Bernhisel’s weekly column Please Don’t Call It Trivia! will feature a Basin-wide treasure hunt, with two one-ounce silver bars hidden somewhere in the region. Each column will include clues that, when pieced together over time, lead to the prize.

Not every trivia item will be a clue, but any could be. Much of the puzzle can be solved from home, though finding the treasure will require getting out and following the trail.

This isn’t a hunt for casual guessers. While simple connections are easy to make, the real challenge will require deeper thinking and creative links back to the Big Horn Basin.

For every clue, the key question is simple: How does this connect to the Basin?

The search area is designed to be accessible, within about 40 miles of roughly 80 percent of the population. No long trips required.

The prize won’t make anyone rich, but it adds a fun incentive. The two ounces of silver are worth about $170.

Participants are encouraged to use common sense. If the roads are too muddy, you’re probably going the wrong way. Please respect private property and local regulations.

Clues begin appearing in April editions of Please Don’t Call It Trivia! in participating Basin newspapers.

For those ready to test their curiosity and problem-solving skills, the hunt is on.

For bonus clues, follow Big Horn Basin Treasure Hunt on Facebook or find more trivia on Instagram at @triviafrenzy.