Arizona has more lost treasure tales than almost any state in the nation. Those struck with gold fever still seek the Lost Dutchman’s Mine near Phoenix, the hidden Tumacacori Mission silver near Tucson, the gold coin cache buried at Canyon Diablo by the Red Jack Gang near Flagstaff, the Canyon Station Treasure stashed in the mountains somewhere near Kingman and many more. The possibilities are endless and they’re still out there somewhere to be found. Maybe. Those treasures are all part of the myths and legends of the southwest. Many have sought them. None have found them.

 However, are you aware that there is a more modern treasure -- worth millions -- replete with a cryptic poem identifying the location of the treasure, just waiting and ready to be discovered in the southwest? It all starts with a man who was dying of cancer. Forrest Fenn was an adventurer and a collector who had amassed a fortune. He opened a successful business in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he and his wife lived the good life. Then, in 1988, Fenn was diagnosed with cancer and told it was terminal. He purchased a Romanesque treasure chest and filled it with gold nuggets, rare coins, jewelry and gemstones from his collections. He included his memoirs and his intent was to haul this treasure into the mountains somewhere north of Santa Fe and die beside it. A legacy -- so to speak. But he didn’t die. Ten years later he took the treasure and hid it somewhere north of Santa Fe, then published his memoirs in a book “The Thrill of the Chase” and included the poem that holds the clues to the treasure’s location. He did it, he says, because he wanted to encourage people to get out and enjoy the outdoors. He says that the treasure is in a place that’s totally accessible, as he was in his eighties when he hid it.

 Just follow the clues in his poem. Winter is not a good time to climb around in the mountains hunting treasure (ie;, The Donner Party). But what Forrest Fenn did not take into consideration when he hid his treasure is the internet. If you have a computer and google “earth,” you can hunt comfortably from your home all winter long while sipping hot chocolate by the fire. That’s what I’ve been doing. And I’m fairly certain I’ve narrowed it down to a specific area. By spring, I’ll have it pinpointed and, when the winter snows have melted out of the mountains, I’m going to take a leisurely drive and a short hike and I am going to pick it up. Maybe I’ll bring a picnic lunch to fortify me before I hike back to the car carrying that heavy treasure chest. 

You wanna race? 

Fenn’s Poem

 As I have gone alone in there 

And with my treasure bold, 

I can keep my secret where, 

And hint of riches new and old.

 

Begin it where warm waters halt 

And take it to 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.