Treasure Hidden In Rocky Mountains Found After 10 Years

9th June 2020

Last modified on May 14th, 2021

It’s taken a decade but someone has finally cracked the code and uncovered a bronze chest containing treasure worth around US$2 million.

The remarkable story began when an art collector from New Mexico decided to secrete the treasure at an undisclosed location in the mountains north of Santa Fe.

Forrest Fenn, who is now 89, wrote a poem which he published in a memoir, ‘The Thrill Of The Chase’.

The poem gave nine clues to guide treasure hunters to the chest, which he said weighed 42lbs (21kg) and was not in a dangerous location.

He said it was somewhere an octogenarian would be able to access.

Now, he has confirmed on his website that the treasure has been discovered.

“It was under a canopy of stars in the lush, forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved from the spot where I hid it more than 10 years ago,” he said at the weekend,

“I do not know the person who found it, but the poem in my book led him to the precise spot.

“I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries.

“So the search is over. Look for more information and photos in the coming days.”

Forrest Fenn has estimated the value of the contents of the chest at around $2m (more than £1.5m/€1.7m).

It includes gold nuggets, coins, sapphires, diamonds, pre-Columbian artifacts and other items.

According to The New York Times, Mr Fenn had the idea for the hunt decades ago after contracting kidney cancer.

He planned to have his remains interred with the treasure but after he recovered he hid the chest and launched the chase in 2010.

Some thought it was all a hoax.

In 2017 the New Mexico State Police urged Mr Fenn to call off the hunt, saying people were putting their lives at risk searching for the treasure in the mountains.

It’s reported that at least two people died trying to follow the clues.

Forrest Fenn’s poem of clues

As I have gone alone in there
And with my treasures bold,
I can keep my secret where,
And hint of riches new and old.

Begin it where warm waters halt
And take it in the canyon down,
Not far, but too far to walk.
Put in below the home of Brown.

From there it’s no place for the meek,
The end is ever drawing nigh;
There’ll be no paddle up your creek,
Just heavy loads and water high.

If you’ve been wise and found the blaze,
Look quickly down, your quest to cease,
But tarry scant with marvel gaze,
Just take the chest and go in peace.

So why is it that I must go
And leave my trove for all to seek?
The answers I already know,
I’ve done it tired, and now I’m weak.

So hear me all and listen good,
Your effort will be worth the cold.
If you are brave and in the wood
I give you title to the gold.