After four years of dedicated research I have decided to share my best solve of Forrest’s poem. His poem is really good but as a map it is very bad. Just imagine how many people have tried to solve Fenn’s poem. I would guess that more than a few hundred thousand have read the poem. Out of that huge number at least a few hundred people with very high intelligence and very good decoding skills have worked on this poem without success. The computer age has tied many searchers together through blogs, email, plus social media. This is a tremendous advantage for research and collaboration but even with this no one can find his chest. After five years I think it is fair to say Forrest is a terrible directions giver at least in the case of his poem.
Most disturbing is Forrest inconsistency with his comments as to where it is. Is it wet? Wow couldn’t tell ya after listening to Forrest stumble around on that statement. How can it burn if it is wet? He said it can be burned, rained on and snowed on. Not if it is wet or buried. How can his granddaughter go get the chest if she has to be brave and in the wood to be brave is to overcome some kind of danger doesn’t it? I won’t list all the problems here but there are at least a few more conflicts that throw a shadow on his honesty.
I have studied and put my knowledge of human behavior to task and I am certain Forrest hid a chest but I believe it is hidden in such a way that it is nearly impossible to find. If he buried the chest for example how can anyone find it? He buried bells deeper than a metal detector can react from the surface so no one could find them. A buried Chest would be almost impossible to find. Get it “almost” like 1 in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 that is not impossible. Getting people off the couch is a really good thing but putting people on a wild goose chase isn’t a good thing it is deceitful and a sin. There are those like myself who have spent lots of time and money that they could have spent to recreate in many other ways. Maybe they are taking a chance with their money in hopes of a payoff it is not ok for the game to be fixed. Only time will tell but it may well be that this treasure like so many others will never be found. Chaser beware finding the treasure is difficult but not IMPOSSIBLE. I could go on for hours but I will leave it up to the reader to understand the frugality of looking for a chest with horrible directions and covered by water or dirt etc. So I have decided to quit for now and to aid others as much as I can.
Here is my solve for the poem.
The first verse may describe which state it is in and that would be Montana the” Treasure State.”
Begin it at La Duke Hot Springs. This is where Yankee Jim gave a timber raft belonging to a home sick Kentuckian to an adventurer and journalist Lewis R Freeman. Freeman wanted to take the raft all the way to New Orleans via the Yellowstone. Corwin Springs near La Duke is the bridge to the Old Yellowstone Trail Road. Take it in Yankee Jim Canyon down about 5.2 miles north and put in at Joe Brown put in. Nearby ranchers helped Freeman put his raft in the Yellowstone River below the home of Brown at Joe Brown Put in. From there Freeman was told to keep to the left (Neigh) to get through the falls. You can read guide books on the canyon and read that it is best to stay to the left. Neigh is Old English and is a boat term for port side, Left when going down stream, the west bank and nearby. Yankee Jim tells Freeman to stay to the left and Freeman ties his raft near Tom Miner Creek to a Cottonwood on the left bank. If you’ve been wise and found the blaze by studying the history of this area you would find keywords such as Meek , Brown, Yankee Jim, Theodore Roosevelt and a chapter call in the wood crashing through Yankee Jim Canyon. (While studying I found at least three stories of this adventure. No paddle up your creek The Yellowstone River is the creek that no one paddles up as the water runs too fast and this river can be called a creek. If you are brave and in the wood this could refer to Freeman who stays with the raft at great danger to himself. I suggest you read the book and the story Freeman wrote about going through Yankee Jim Canyon in 1902. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37220?msg=welcome_stranger
Down the Yellowstone by Lewis R. Freeman. (Having trouble getting the title underlined or even put in the proper place please forgive me.) Notice Tarry is misspelled in the Freeman story when he is referring to terry cloth and when he refers to Terry bas relief. He spells it like the biblical word tarry just as Fenn did when he says tarry scant. For me this is a way Fenn was referring to Freeman.
The chapter about Yankee Jim Canyon is what the poem is referring to but I never have understood the blaze. I thought it was the rock Freeman smashed his boat on or the cottonwood tree he tied his raft too but I could not find anything in those areas.
If the readers look they will see many hints from the book about this area. An example is the story that he went to Gardiner Inland to look for a treasure must refer to Gardiner, Mt. or the brown streak on his pants from the fire escape must be the Devil’s Slide at the mouth of Yankee Jim’s Canyon. Water high is the over thirty feet deep Yellowstone River going through box car falls.
I put myself in some tough and not so tough places but I never found a trace. I looked in the area over 30 times for more than three years and I spent at least 100 hours looking in Paradise Valley and all I got was a great experience and one great Elk Burger. Use this info and do better than I did with it. Good luck. I will check my blog for awhile before I take it down. If you have comments or questions please don’t hesitate. I am retiring from the chase as I have lost faith. Maybe you can prove me wrong but if a half a million people have no idea where or even what the blaze I doubt I can do better.
Capt Pappy's Blog 
Thanks for all your efforts and intellect you have shared. Myself and family have looked earnestly many times to no avail. I met the digger that had problems at the pueblo (he too gave up) as have we, for now. We bought both books and are left with veracity questions also. We may return one day to see if anything changes. I am Montana born and went prospecting , staked claims and had lots of fun ( my fathers nickname was “The Prospector”) but those days have passed away with him. A California guy now with wonderful family, we hope to get back to the rushing waters and cool mountain lakes one day and who knows maybe run across fellow treasure hunters with wonderful stories and ideas to share! Thanks again Capt. Pappy
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Thanks for the effort and for sharing. I some time ago seized on the Tom Miner Creek vicinity–possibly due to reading some of your writings (as a newbie, I was totally unaware that I was in a veritable mine field of rabbit holes, and as such should keep goods notes on sources).
I have not relinquished hope for the area, but I haven’t even been there yet. Ha. My potential solution, however, leaves a huge huge gap between _identifying_ Tom Miner Creek as “the creek”, and finding a blaze. I hinge utterly on the word “wise”….along with some speculation about “old treasure” and where Indians were liable to have left said treasure.
Anyhoo, I hope to drag my family out on a wild gold chase one day.
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Any chance you can email me? I would like to share some thoughts with you. igorchi70@gmail.com
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Capt Pappy, You and I really Need to Talk!!!
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Michael email me at capt.pappy@hotmail.com
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I made a comment over at ttoc and mike refused to put it through. Funny thing is that he is leaving references to this page on his site for his readers 🙂 My comment was too truthful so of course he had to delete it! There was mention of how there was no way the Forest Fenn would allow the searchers to continue looking over the summer if he knew the TC had been found. My reply was that of course he would!!! There is no way in Hades that he would allow all those treasure hunters to cancel their hotel reservations and not bring their tourist dollars into Santa Fe or the Yosemite area. I also said that without doubt the person who “finds” it will be one of his “pets” that he is in constant contact with why is why he was able to say that he was “sure” it would be found this summer and that “she” would be “driven underground” by other searchers. It’s funny how they don’t like the truth over there until it benefits them!
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Thanks for your comments. I have had lots of action on this site of late. It is nice to know I am not the only one with similar thoughts.
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I would like to talk. About the treasure
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I just learned about the treasure this summer. When I did I wad fascinated and did much research and studying of maps. I actually came up with a couple “solves” which I later found out already existed but were not proven. However, after reading a lot of Fenn’s words, I believe that there are only two options: 1. The treasure is a hoax, or 2. He hid it in such a difficult-to-find location that it will never be found with the vague clues given (as you have stated). How have some people come within 200 feet in the past yet the treasure has still not been found yet? If the treasure is close to a road (and it must be), it would have been found within five years; there’s just no way with all the brainpower and collaboration going into this that the poem wouldn’t have been solved by now. I believe that Fenn wants people to still be talking about Fenn’s Treasure 100 years from now.
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I also thought Forrest had said it was a she that had been within 200 feet.Does anyone know who she is?
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Yes, she can be easily found by deeper research and reading the blogs (dals blog) of fellow searchers. I reside 45 mins from ff home in santa fe, nm and have is personal email, which is also not hard to find, in fact I invited him to lunch with me sometime this week, he often meets and responds to emails of searchers. He also is one of the key people funding the search for the colorado man currently missing for three weeks most likely dead in the nm backcountry. I will be attending fennborie this spring and ff is expected to come as well. Anyway I would be happy to team up with anyone for hunts or if you live far away then send me your solve, ill check it out or tell you if the location is already documented as hunted. Unfortunately, I like a lot of hunters out think it has been found already. But ff has said when it is found he will buy the bracelet back from you, it holds deep meaning to him and I believe too if it was found the person would give the bracelet back then we would know it was found. But theres still the thrill right. I have read ff book and feel the trove is in one of two places. I have not hunted my location, pointless and dangerous to do this time of year ff has said the trove is above 5000 feet which would make it burried in snow til march. Anyway, if you wanna see something crazy google map. Type forrest fenn treasure and push enter, lol google maps thinks it knows right where its at. Anyway I set up this email if you wanna spitball ideas with me or want me to check a spot: jsmth40@rocketmail.com Happy hunting
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Funny about the Googling of “forrest fenn treasure”. However, it is as vague as Fenn’s description of the location, not the actual hiding spot, as it is just somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. Google “Rocky Mountains”, and you’ll get the exact same location.
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I was searching for info on this matter, and based on a series of things I searched for, unrelated to the treasure, your blog came up. You were close…just too smart 🙂
Email me if you’d like.
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Coronado, thanks for your comment, couldn’t come at a better time as I am in the middle of two searches one ending and one to start within a week. The best place ever is pebble creek but I have now finally figured out the entire poem and will not be looking there again this year. I will write an account of the Pebble Creek trip as it was inspiring but there were so many great blazes I came to believe it is not there. On the way home however I read something that at first seemed unrelated but now is right on target. The whole poem fits and I am chomping at the bit to get to the trove. Anyway if you would like to drop a hint I will let you know if it is where I think it is. By the way it is close to where I have been but far enough that I would never have found it.
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Uh? Am I missing something? So the words “begin it” led you to that statement? Or “clue”?. The words “end it” led you to that clue? No. You chose and guessed everything. Not 1 “clue” led you anywhere. Nobody has followed the map, just like the lady who found Christ as the treasure. It’s all in your head, you never found the beginning…. I bet the blaze was a term on a rock in the shape of a letter b? Yea yea.
This is exactly why nobody has solved it.lol… but 1 has!
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I believe I almost found the treasure last weekend. My mistake is I went the “paddle route” instead of continuing on the “loads of water high” route.. it was natural to rationalize this choice because I was already in danger and the correct route looked scary. I also walked along a swampy shore, with visible oil in the water…and I know there is tar in it too. The questions you have are great, because believe it or not all of the properties exist in this place and now I am even more sure! I read a quote “A wise man will build his home on a rock”and this might just help me see the blaze.. very relevant to “the place” near Yellow Stone. So clever, yet so obvious when you find the place and read the history. Thank you!
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Hi Capt. Pappy
I also went to the same area for my solve a few years ago. i was convinced but like you once there it was not the “walk right to it” find. Still searching and ready to go on to another spot. thanks for your blogs. i wonder if i walked right passed it myself. cheers
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Capt Pappy,
Do you have any updates ? Thank you so much for the site and your honesty. My wife and I are going to be hunting in some of your old spots (Yellowstone and around Gardiner) very soon. The only problem that I have is these areas seem to already have been searched extensively by so many others. Do you have any advice for any newbies wanting to search these areas ?
Thanks again for everything !
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Ok , again I ‘ve been busy and have ignored my site but because of your kind words I am going to let you in on a secret. In two weeks look for a statement about the treasure. I will let out the new solve for the poem. This is by far the best I have ever come up with and the best I have ever come across. The answers started coming to me about a month ago and I solved the last piece about five days ago.
I got the chills when it came to me. I will tell you a few things to help you but most wont believe me anyway. I don’t blame them. I have been wrong now for 6 years but this time is like nothing before all nine clues fit without stories, history or any unusual explanations. It fits all of the more than 24 hints Forrest has given in the past and I know what the blazes is so I can walk to it with confidence.
If I am correct it is not in New Mexico or Colorado. The treasure is not in Montana around Gardiner or in Jardine. It is not in the Lamar Valley, Ice Box Canyon, Pebble Creek or Cashe Creek. The Lamar Ranger Station is not the home of Brown nor is the Brown put in across from Brown’s trail or at his gold claim. If I am right I have never been close but others have and I believe I have discovered why they missed the treasure. So here is an update soon a solve will be written on this site that I feel will lead to the treasure but like always I am taking the first shot. Thanks again for your kind words.
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Thanks again. I have written before and given up looking. I am excited to watch for your new information. I can leave from So. cal shortly if you think it’s worth looking more. The prospectors son, Gary
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Gary get back to this blog in a couple of weeks. I will let everyone my solve. If I don’t find it I believe someone will in the area I am look in, so decide for yourself when you read my solve. One thing I can tell you is this solve leaves no line unsolved.
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Capt Pappy , I also have solved the poem. I too know the blaze and am heading out to pick up the box soon. Hope I beat you to it! Tim
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Hi Tim, Did I meet you in the valley near waterfall? My name is Michael..You were about to search Rose creek that day we met…?? We searched all the creeks in the area to no avail. I was wondering what your latest solve was that was incorrect?…
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Tim, good for you. I hope you or I finds it but I’m not sure about you. Ha Ha Let us know some how if you do. Good luck. On another thought I wish all the places real searchers have looked would be on a website. That may be the only way we can find the treasure is through cooperation.
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Any update ?
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I didn’t find it, but I’m sure I am in the right area. Did you have any luck Captpappy?
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Here’s a hint I couldn’t get there due to run off and land slide. I will let everyone know where I think it is if I don’t find it soon myself.
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Tim if you are on to the same area as I am then you know where to start. If you are in the right starting place take the canyon down. More than half of the solve is done when you have that. For me, the canyon down is very tricky. I will explain in a few weeks. This is my last hooraw, I doubt I could ever do better.
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Any update? I almost enjoy reading other people’s “solves” as much as I do figuring out my own. Capt Pappy, can you let us in on your latest?
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Hey Michael , no wasn’t me! I met 1 person that passed(in a pickup) on a one lane narrow dirt road, no place for the meek! I was on the cliff side and it was a long way down.
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Tim been very busy and getting ready for the best trip yet. Tim sounds to me you are a true hunter. There are only a few of us as most don’t get out and actually look. If you want to communicate that would be great. capt.pappy@hotmail.com
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Capt Pappy, would like to talk with you about a solve. I have read certain statements/questions you have asked yourself. I have answers. I believe I have THE solve. Don’t have the time or money to travel but you are in the right neighborhood. How can we set this up?
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Tim capt.pappy@hotmail.com. Tim I’ve got this one place to go first as I am afraid someone will tell me the same place and think I cheated them. You are a “Dog of the Chase” I can tell and for me that is a compliment. Write to me and I will get back but know I am not looking in Gardiner any more. If you have something that sends me back to Gardiner I will split but it would be better for the both of us goes and gets the chest. Hey I’ll pay for the trip if we decide it is worth the time. Thanks
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Capt.Pappy – Did you find it? My solve is just above gibbon falls in yellowstone park. Secret Valley, Iron Spring, Heavy Loads (boulders/caldera rim) – Water High (at caldera rim the canyon narrows, and getting in will put you up a creek without a paddle).
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Jeff you and the other commenters are the people who give this site a reason to exist. Thanks for your ideas I hope you are correct.
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Was it there?
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I went up to that area 3 times, still lots of places to search. However there is one big boulder that sits on the edge of the river that is difficult to get to, but looks like a huge natural rock cave. It was late October and the river was too cold to cross. this summer i will make the journey. Oh and the boulder/cave looked like the letter B.
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Hello
I stumbled upon your site–I’ve been interested in the Fenn stuff for a while and I read through the comments and it was saying there’d be a reveal of sorts in two weeks after you got a chance to look and then it looked like the solve never came. Maybe I was reading wrong–maybe it was meant to be read from bottom to top?
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If you mean Deer creek area, I hope you find it , but be careful.
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This might be way too simple but ff did say to think simple…has anyone tried to put in a boat or raft at the Brown Put-In? The beginning of the poem really makes me think that he used a boat because it was too far to walk…and then you keep an eye out and will find the treasure “wet” or perhaps on the bank of the river.
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Andrew Marshall – FF stated that he made two trips to place the treasure in one afternoon, from where he parked. I believe that would be difficult to do in a boat, without some help. While I believe water factors in as a landmark, I don’t think you need to use it as a form of travel. I think “too far to walk” is either a reference to the book, where some believe it refers to a distance between 6 – 10 miles, or it’s not on of the nine clues. In regards to “wet”, he also said something about everything in the forest being wet.
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If you put in at the Brown boat put in on the Yellowstone you would barely have time to cross the river to get out on the other side at Spinx creek. After that hold on as it is NOT advised to go through Uncle Jim’s canyon without a guide. It can be dangerous in a few spots.
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Hello, I too believe The Chest is in this Area and I also believe that The Chest will Vanish this Summer making it all but Impossible to Retrieve if this Happens.
If You are Interested give Me a Yell back, I think You will be Surprised at what You have Missed.
Something as Small as Out instead instead of In can make All the Difference in the World.
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Yes lots of trees being cut down been there and had the same fear. Hope Forrest planned for this but rememder if we our thinking the same way they are not cutting White Aspen trees just old pine.
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