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Fenn’s poem is the only map to the treasure

Forrest Fenn penned a poem that he included near the end of The Thrill of the Chase that he says contains nine clues to lead seekers to the reward.

He writes a few sentences before, it's "in the mountains somewhere north of Santa Fe."

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, you 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.

Fenn has also has issued a few statements over time that others believe might get people closer to the spot. He says he made two trips to hide it, one with the chest and one with its contents. NPR reported in 2016 that it's at "an elevation above 5,000 feet. It's not in a mine, a graveyard or near a structure." He reportedly told another treasure seeker that he used a sedan to drive to where he walked to the spot.

Keep in mind, he's not saying it's buried. But he's not saying it's not.

The seeker will also know more about Fenn than anyone else, because Fenn also claims to have tucked into the chest an unpublished biography that's about 20,000 words long.

Read our interview with Forrest Fenn.

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