Revisiting my blog I see I have had over ten thousand visits. Wow for me that is a lot of visits. I decided to add something new for my visitors to read, but all is quiet. I was expecting Forrest new book to be out but where is it? I truly pray Forrest is in good health. No clues every month on the today show and nothing new on the web. Maybe Finn got too much attention.
With no new news why don’t we start up some news ourselves. I’d like to try something new myself. I think it would be fun to let the readers make their own new news. How about a last shot before the weather makes it hard or impossible to look till next year?
I’ll start with the questions and you the reader supplies the answers. What do you say. No answer is wrong so use your imagination. this year so many of us thought we knew where the treasure was but it would seem we didn’t do as well as we hoped. So let us lighten up a bit and share some of our thoughts.
Here our some questions to stimulate the discussion. After all sometimes the right question is needed to get to the right answer.
1. Has the treasure been found?
2. Is Yellowstone too restricted to safely hide a treasure?
3. When warm waters halt is it then ice?
4. Would Forrest need to have his treasure close by to insure he could get to it in a close to death situation?
5. Could the treasure be in the open surrounded by trees?
6. How could a person let us know they found the treasure anonymously?
7. Why hasn’t there been any new news?
8. Why is the treasure so hard to find?
Leave your thoughts and questions on the comments.
Pagosa Springs is a great fly fishing area where the San Juan Fishing and Expedition LLC meets once a year for a week of fishing.
I arrived after some R and R in Minasato and then caught up with friends in Colorado. One day after dinner I was sitting with one of the family owners and he mentioned that he had the strangest thing take place. It seems a man came by and asked for all the Ice in his machine. This gentleman claimed at the bottom of the Ice machine there was a chest of treasure. At first I just laughed. I told the owner of the Blue Spruce about Fenn’s Treasure and explained that it couldn’t be there as there was no hot or warm spring. The owner of the resort located at the bottom of Wolf Creek Pass responded by telling me there were several hot springs on both the east and north fork of the San Juan River not far from the Blue Spruce. I thought for a moment and replied there would also need to be a home of Brown to which the owner pointed to the two nearby ranches both owned by separate families last name of Brown. Now he had my attention. He told me of a stream and a falls named Treasure Falls. This falls runs out of a mountain call The Lost Treasure Mountain. French troops trying to survive left a large amount of gold somewhere in that mountain which has never been found. I thought about the line in the poem “and hint of treasure both new and old. Here I was thinking of taking a break and doing some fishing only to be pulled back to the chase in Pagosa Springs Colorado.
The next morning I went out to search the public lands below the Brown Ranch but first I would need a map. In the town of Pagosa Springs I stopped at my favorite fly fishing store called Ski & Bow Rack. Larry and another gentleman about getting a map. One thing lead to another and Larry’s pardner told me where he had seen blazes in that area of the river below the Browns. He also spoke about running across an older man fitting Fenn’s description walking around in this area about three years ago.
Heres some of what I found. The Falls freeze in the winter causing the water to form tall sculptures. (Where warm waters halt?) When you find the brown thin trail sign just off the highway about six miles from Pagosa heading to the Blue Spruce the trails leads to a tall vent pipe. This pipe looks like an old gas pipe where they vent off excess gas. (Blaze?) There is private land all around so if you look in this area be sure to respect the property rights.
Both the Blue Spruce and Ski & Bow Rack say they will be glad to talk to anyone stopping by and they were very helpful in my case. Here’s the best part it seems the owners grandfather was a school principal in a town near Lubbock Tx. This could very well mean Fenn’s Dad and the Blue Spruce are connected!
Keep sending your ideas and comments they are most welcome.
English: Junction of U.S. 84 and U.S. 160 near Pagosa Springs, CO (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Lamar River, Yellowstone National Park, 1968 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
August will find the Dogs of the chase searching the Yellowstone. The biggest pack to date will travel in three groups. Each pack will search the most promising areas provided by previous exploration and interpretation of Forrest’s poem. Readers are invited to contribute. Learn from each other and check out new ideas. If you can’t be looking yourself we could look for you and report here what we find. Comments are welcome as are any questions.
Capt Pappy’s scouting report:
Day 1 Forrest’s last clue “it’s not in Utah or Idaho” narrows down where the home of Brown could be referring. Lamar Valley is still in play (read earlier blogs) but the Browns in Idaho are eliminated. This leaves the Brown on the north side of the park. Uncle Joe Brown a prospector who has a forest, a trail and a boat put in/take out named after him. The Joe Brown turn out is located on Hwy 89 12.7 miles north of Gardiner Montana. The Yellowstone River runs along Hwy 89 and boaters are warned not to go past Joe Brown unless experienced river guides. The area known as Yankee Jim Canyon is filled with heavy loads and water high. A Park Ranger told me Joe Brown’s home was in the Yankee Jim Canyon. Joe Brown found gold in Bear Gulch in the 1890’s. He later married and built a home in Gardiner. The exact location is a mystery as he moved around from Cooke to Cinnabar.
Yankee Jim Canyon, Yellowstone River, Park County, Montana (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Day 2 Today we scout the west side of the Yellowstone River between Corwin Springs Bridge and Tom Miner Bridge. The road on the westside can get muddy and impassable. Weather is a factor here. I headed for the woods just upstream from the put in across from Joe Brown Trail, 12.7 miles north of Gardiner on Hwy 89. Three acres of cottonwoods, grass and wildflowers surround an open field perfect for a Gypsy Wagon Train Carnival. Lots of trees to look over. Above the woods were rock grevases from which the river and valley can be seen. From here one could watch the fly fishing boats and spy the mountain for wildlife. Someone enjoyed a six pack of Schlitz Beer from this site. These cans had been around for a long time. Made me think of having a sandwich and a flashlight. This area is public surrounded by private property. Fishing is done by boat mostly and not many people stop in this spot. Along the river’s edge be careful of the ants, if you tarry too long they come out and swarm up your legs. The waterline is interesting and many places to look for the chest. The Devils Slide is nearby and it seems like it should be included in the poem but I can’t find a fit. Ok, time to get cleaned up and then dinner overlooking the Yellowstone River. My favorite place to have an elk burger is just over the bridge in Gardiner on the back porch of the local tavern. The name of the place is Iron Horse Bar and Grill.
Photo taken in the Yellowstone area. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Day 3 Today we went up the Joe Brown trail . The idea was to check aspens and cottonwoods (blazes) along the way as we climb to the forest named for Uncle Joe Brown. I should have rule this out after my desk clerk at Jim Bridges commented on the steepness of the trail. The view was awesome and after the first half mile we are greeted by a clear cold stream.
Following the stream up were many stands of cottonwoods. I kept going up the stream tempted by the blaze and walked another mile or so. Then reality came back and I knew Forrest didn’t get this far at his age and condition. I decided to continue to the ridge and was rewarded with a view of the Joe Brown Forest I will never forget. The hike down and back to the car convinced me the treasure is not on that trail.
The next move was to explore the Old Yellowstone Trail further north from the clearing I had scouted out on day two. Driving is easy on this road which at times uses the old railroad-track-bed. Three trails are here all going through what was the only way from the north to get to the Roosevelt Gate of the Yellowstone Park. At a midpoint between Cinnabar and Tom Miner Creek is a day picnic area and historic site. The Tom Miner camp is close to Tom’s pay station. Mr. Miner charge $2.50 to get to Cinnabar and the Yellowstone. He in return manage the only road going through the canyon. The old signs could be a blaze as the trail itself. Lots of nooks and crannies to explore here. Great views from the rocks and lots of shade from the many pines. Few if any cottonwoods. A large party of hikers came by made up of a few young children and ten or so young men. All were dressed in od green fatigues. We greeted each other as they past and then they disappeared into the pines. Later I was told the military had done extensive games in that area. My guess is this group like the area so much they came back with their kids to do some hiking. Further south of this spot you can find all three trails. That being the old road Miner kept up, the railroad and the path the natives used. If you are wise and found the blaze came to mind. Could the wise refer to the oldest trail or highest trail? Close by is another blaze an old sign painted on a rock marking a gift shop. This stop is probably close to a hundred years old. Again some good places to look just below this sign and above the trails.
Joe Brown and Miss Guatemala Universe (Photo credit: R Dalton Coffee)
Wow! This Joe Brown guy really gets around. Too Bad the Rocky Mountains we are looking for are north of Santa Fe.
Time for R and R then tomorrow to Tom Miner Creek after a look around the boat put ins on the east side of the river. Please comment and as the saying goes I showed you mine so lets see some of yours.
Day 4 Today we headed down to Joe Brown crossed Hwy 89 and look along the bank. I ruled this area out. Just not private enough. The next stop is Tom Miner camp site. After crossing the Tom Miner bridge its about 9 miles west and up the creek. We were back in national park land as we started up the trail at the end of the camp site. I thought I hit the jack pot. After just a few minutes I was surrounded by trees with blazes. I thought any time now I’ll see a blaze Forrest may have left 60 years ago. This is one of the few places that isn’t overrun by the tourist. The bad news is I felt like I was late for the party as no blaze was unchecked. When I walked to the creek, the mud slides had me hoping the chest wasn’t on the creek. If it were there it could be washed away or buried. I couldn’t help but think this area is too far from the home of Brown. This is still a great place to look if just for the beauty. The fields were full of color giving way to an easy ascent under mostly pine mixed with cottonwoods. Lots of bears in the area the big Brown type of bears. Heading back to camp I decided to check with the property owner where Tom Miner Creek runs into the Yellowstone River. He was very helpful. He says he knows it is not on his land. He also told me the Army had been in the area in large numbers along the Old Yellowstone Trail. Going back to Corwin Springs by way of the Old Trail brought me back to camp were the sunset will find me soaking my feet in the hot spring. While sitting at the hot spring a blaze shines nearby. West, down Yellowstone River, about a half mile the golden tower of light reflects in the yellow huge. How can the Devils Slide and The Tower of Light fit in the poem if only it would come to me my quest would cease.
Yellowstone (Photo credit: 21708aud)
Lots of info to go as I checkout Jardine, Bear Gulch, Cinnabar, the graveyard outside of Gardiner, a visit to Cody, checking out Gardiner River and a revisit of Lamar Valley.
Listen all and listen good 8,000 visitors and 44 comments. Seems that the goal of this blog is losing out. It is to share ideas on the chase. Here nothing is suppressed unless inappropriate. No insiders here. Finn doesn’t have any connection and nothing owed. I have been told to fade away but I got no quite. However it may be time to move on. I will chase this and other treasures to be sure but I will leave to the sites that are getting a good number of comments for their efforts. One such site is Dal’s he is a very good writer he has a good following. Return soon see what day 5 has and please comment you might just have the answer.
Day 5 We head to Jardine today but before I tell you about that, I have been asked who is this team I refer to and who is with me presently. Billy Bobs White Shoe is my partner’s full name. He is my sidekick who has endured many a trip. Never complains even when we walked in the snow. Glad he only weighs 8 lbs when I carry him across the creeks but he’s no help with the bears. The others number as many as 8 and they join in as time allows. Nothing official just others who have wanted to enter the chase. One teammate is the head of G Dog Productions maybe thats why I refer to this loose group as Dogs of The Chase. Anyone is welcome to join in by setting up a time to meet or by sharing what they think on this blog. If you read the early entries you’ll find that I think the treasure may already have been found. This has upset some people so much that they ignore everything I have offered and wish I would go away. They seem like you just told them there is no Easter Bunny. I love the chase. I have been prospecting for at least 20 years. Big difference between slim and none, a chance or no chance. I don’t want to pretend there is a chest out there just to get along especially if its a hoax. So no one said It was were I think and no one says it was not there. I was there and the Chest was not and Fenn after receiving a complete picture history of the trail and place of the Immaculate Impression just didn’t have the courtesy to comment. Dal says it would give me a clue, but I already know its not there so the only clue is if it was not there. In other words I just got blown off. So instead of quitting I will do my best to leave no stone uncovered.
Water gate above bear gulch
On the way up to Jardine I stopped here and looked at the climb to get to the Yellowstone River as you can see in the next picture it would be too much for most 78 year olds.
The Hot Springs are in the background to checkout where the creek meets the river I need to find away to drive closer. Now that is very interesting and it is on my list. Does anyone know if Fenn is Mormon? I may save this trip for the Dogs.
Jardine is an old gold town. People still live there and they have a lot of no trespassing signs around. I enjoyed the view the outstanding area but it is not down from a warm water anything. Joe Brown was here no doubt but he is everywhere. Uncle Joe was at the ranch fishing when the ranch was burned by the natives he was also found gold at Bear Gulch and then again up in Jardine. Joe hung out in Cinnabar and made trips to Cooke City. If you really look close I believe Joe lived around Cinnabar and just may have had an ellias. From here I went north of Tom Miner Bridge. I checked on the Yellowstone River below a boat put in/take out just down from the bridge. There is an island with lots of cottonwoods not to far. No heavy loads, just past the rough waters of Yankee Jim Canyon. This will take a full day so I made my way back driving on the Old Yellowstone Trail stopping off where the a sign was painted on the rock. I spent the next few hours checking out this area. Great place to hide yourself or a chest.
If you are looking for the treasure the treasure is safe. If you know where it is there’s nothing to look for. Those who have chased know its true, even being close won’t do. Lets hear from those who are home from searching we all would benefit and it would be all the more exciting. Day 6 we go across the Yellowstone River and check out the island like the one Capt. Kidd hide his chest on.
Day 6 Today we crossed Tom Miner Bridge then headed north for about three miles. There is a boat take out there and a trail along the river which Bill and I took south for a half mile. We headed across the river ( cold ) to the island. It was about the size of a football field with lots of willows and some cottonwoods. We searched for several hours looking around all the trees and stopping to watch the boats go by. On the way back i rested at a bench placed there in memory of the man who donated the boat landing. He was an avid fly fisherman. I wondered, did Forrest fished here? Maybe sat on this bench and thought about the place he might choose to rest. Later I checked the boat put in/take out below Tom Miners Bridge. Took the rest of the day studying the web and reading a book I bought in Gardiner. The book covers the history of the area from Gardiner to Livingston mile by mile. I also read other websites hoping those who have been in the same area were sharing but all are quite so I took a ride to the graveyard outside Gardiner too have a look around. To get there I drove by the school and a Yellowstone Research Center. The words if you’ve been wise and found the blaze came to me but the blaze is still safe. Still no comments so I grow weary and so I won’t tarry. I will keep the rest to myself until someone gives a little of their own insight. Happy hunting
Day 7 Today I headed back to the Yellowstone past Lamar Valley and the Ranger station then stopped in Cooke City. Joe Brown lived up in Cooke City while he searched for gold. One hunter commented that Uncle Joe had a claim in the Yellowstone area. What a great clue to share with the rest of the pack. From Cooke City I went on to Cody by way of the Chief Joesph Highway. I hope to paint the canyon where bright red clay meets vivid green grass. Cody is Forrest’s gateway to the Yellowstone. He is connected to the Wild Bill Cody Center which was well worth visiting. This trip kept reminding me of the first trip to Yellowstone. Gary Brown was easy to find but Uncle Joe is everywhere. Maybe a live rodeo tonight. There is one every night in Cody. Day 8 coming tomorrow. Stay tuned in, as I have info from Colorado, of treasures new and old. Keep up the comments as the latest ones were refreshing and exciting.
English: Map of the Yellowstone River watershed in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota in the north-central USA, that drains to the Missouri River (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Day 8 Drove back to The Park. Stopped in Mammoth Hot Springs. I hiked a few trails. Here man feels small to the power of Mother Nature. These hikes are rewards in themselves. I will leave most of YNP from Mammoth Hot Springs to Bear Gulch for others.
Headed back to Gardiner where I talked to leatherman. He was in front of one of the cafes. The elderly man had a lot of cowboy in him. He was older but strong. He wore all leather apparel, hat, vest, pants, belt shoes and coat. I sat down and we talk for awhile. This wonderful gentleman and his wife road the Yellowstone National Park for years as they help with reach of the animals. A great cowboy artist who played college football and rode the range, He didn’t know about the treasure but he knows the Yellowstone. He told of the Old Yellowstone Trail and how the railroad used it to build a track to the Roosevelt Gate.
We left Gardiner on the Old Yellowstone Trail and took it in the canyon down not too far to Cinnabar. We put in at a trailhead just north of the old town. we walked down a stream found a National Forest Blaze looked quickly down. Worked down to the river and I could look across to an area that is on the only website in the area. Now that is a place on the list.
Day 9 Woke up in Corwin Springs got washed up and had coffee with the neighboring campers. This is a nice place to camp and the showers are very clean. $20 a night is not too much when the hot spring is thrown in plus God’s awesome beauty in valley. I decided to check out the boat put in over the Corwin Springs Bridge. To my surprise a bus filled with people pulled up. It seems one of the tour boat companies uses this point to launch from. I drifted back about the trees. I never saw a blaze but the waterline had many areas that looked good.
Note to readers: Various difficulties have forced me to write days after the fact. I got to places where I had no connection to the internet. I traveled 1,100 miles to Minnesota and then 1,200 to Pagosa Springs Colorado. I am writing from Boise, Id. The 10 days has been over nearly a month but I have more info coming and an expert on trappers and miners in the Yellowstone area. Day 10 will review best spots and last looks. Then Treasure Falls becomes suspect.
Day 10 Last look. Went to Tom Miner Creek had a look but I couldn’t walk in the mudslide area. This area is a good possibility but the chest could very well be buried if it were here. Checked out the trail to the bridge over Bear Gulch and took last look on the Old Yellowstone Trail just north of Cinnabar. Cinnabar is no more than an open area now days but at its outer boundary a stream is a good place to look. The last drive in the Yellowstone had me thinking it is not private enough for Fenn’s plans.
Words out that some well known members of the chase will be crossing paths in Yellowstone Park. Most these hunters are tight lipped but some are giving small bits of info, mostly the areas where they’ve been and now have ruled out. Don’t blame them for keeping quiet especially with a large pack of would be treasure finding dogs of the chase nearby. Must be exciting driving to the next good guess but the traffic this time a year could slow the pack down. Hope to hear comments from anyone who cared to check out the blaze in the wood. If you are new to this site make sure you read where I feel the treasure was and look at the many photos showing the way.
Who’s a major player one may ask. Those who are favored by Fenn. Seems some get a little more attention than others. Communication with the treasure king himself. Who of those lucky few stopped looking in April after a visit to Yellowstone? Theres a few looking for you. Fenn thinks whoever finds the treasure will not be able to keep it secret but can Fenn keep the secret. Fenn let the dogs out time to let them in.
Its here, almost, but at least by the end of June that thing everyone in the chase longs to hear, a clue. The clue, that one clue, which will make clear the treasure’s hidden place. Interestingly, this clue could come the 17th or sometime in the next three weeks. This clue still in the works, isn’t ready. Fenn may need more time as he is releasing a new book due this summer. Book finishing takes a lot of focus so heres hoping he will have enough time to get a clue worth the wait. Welcome to the stage, clue and book, perhaps both on the same day or maybe the new book will be the new clue. His last book is well written and a good read. This book contained a poem with nine clues to Fenn’s treasure. The book coming this summer may include more subtle clues as did the latter book. The clue, coming soon, is the monthly Today Show Clue.
May 3rd Fenn gave his monthly clue to his treasure and April 18th or so he said to the best of his knowledge the treasure is still there. June 5th and what will Forrest have to say? Don’t hold me to the aforementioned dates as I may be off a day or two. My first question is it out there given the chance to ask and how do you know, is question number two. The new clue is useless if the treasures found.
I responded to two different treasure hunters in the Yellowstone Park. My reply to their blog or comments give exact directions to what I think is the treasures hiding place. When I was searching the YNP I checked my computer daily for new clues. Had anyone offered a place to look I would have check it out. This area is a short easy hike not more than 30 miles from where they reported looking. It is the best place to see the animals, excellent fly fishing, beautiful scenery the Lamar Valley is a must see if your in the YNP. No comments from these hunters, They have a lot of good info and are active on Treasure.net but nothing coming out of YNP as of today. I hope the troll didn’t get them.
Come on you would be millionaires let us come together demanding in ever growing numbers one ear shattering voice “What’s UP.” Let the truth prevail. Get the flash light and make a sandwich. This time, just once let the little guy get to the bottom of it all. We all need something. Fenn needs a hidden treasure to help him sell his next book to you dogs of the chase, and I need a green chilli cheese burger.
Bring your truth of treasure here for all to share perhaps together we can chase more than our tails. Really everyone anyone spill what you know or think. I won’t let anyone bite. I approved everything so far to be open and fair and here any idea gets respect for the effort.
Try zooming in on the animals. Glad they weren’t all there at one time when I walked down to the blaze but there was a herd of bison, some cranes and a few disgruntled ducks.
Addictions come in many forms. I should know as I worked in the field for years. Reading the countries from where visitors dropped in, places like Indonesia, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and Mexico, just thrills me and lifts my spirits. Seems I am having issues about letting go of the blog so here I am again and I am here to have some fun. That said, time to go back, look harder and find what I may have missed. Visitors are welcome to point out things overlooked or add their own insights.
Standing at the Holy Tree of the Immaculate Impression my reasoning fogged with fatigued, my thoughts many days later now haunting me, did I miss something? Sure I looked around the area but not very long and not very hard. Here at the Shrine of Fenn wouldn’t one find at least a marker, a plaque proclaiming “Forrest was here”, perhaps a small carved Santos of His likeness honoring the Saint of the Treasures. Mecca unveiled and yet no trumpets or golden glow harkening me as I approach. Instead the find was unsanctimonious and frankly unsatisfying. Why not some crumbs for us dogs of the chase? Where is the headstone complete with epitaph that reads he who snoozes loses or your fally north of Santa Fe written in large gold covered letters a beacon, for deming minds or symbol to those on the hunt. Where is the cheering crowd lining the finish line of this epic journey. Surely bodies of the meek and the weak hearted would be piled around, dead from the shock, after the fatal glance of fiery jewels and stupendous heaps of gold in a tiny box.
Silence and negative space nothing more waiting to greet those unlucky late comers who search for a one or two million dollar treasure, give or take a million or two. The same silence one dumb struck retriever must suffer barely able to carry the heavy load wishing two trips were possible on the fuel of just one sandwich. How else could the smartest of the pack keep from bursting out in songs of great me-lisses. Not one word, not one little slip just treasure and finder, in the dark, far from others, locked behind light proof doors. knowing only two can keep a secret this big if one of the keepers is dead.
Where can a body be left alone long enough to join nature? Certainly not in the shadow of a bear’s favorite tree unless essence of human smells unappetizing. Climbing a tree could be the only way to avoid the animals and unsuspecting picnickers. Lying down I did disappear from sight. Becoming food for beast is not so bad and the bones would be left to find. There was a second box imprint outside the tree fifty feet east. This imprint only an inch or less deep. Was this where the lucky one stop to take a look inside the bronze jewelry box? Could an animal dig such a shape? How about a Boxconstrictor a snake known by the Yellowstone natives to change their appearance to resemble treasure chests in hopes of devouring large treasure hunters or the infamous box footed one legged hopster known to hide inside rotting tree stumps.
Reading what others think of the clues has given me enough info to come up with this compilation. Maybe if we stay open minded we can work on this and slowly work towards something more satisfying.
Start it at a campsite in the mountains north of Santa Fe make sure it offers warm showers in brown painted bathrooms or the director of the site has a brown dog. Preferably a dog named brown or a director named Brown. From there rollerblade, run or drive toward the blazing sun or nearest forest fire stop when you see an ice chest made of wood. Reach in under the ice grab the object on the bottom and while avoiding the ice monster pull item to the top, pop the top, sit back and get a real idea.
Really, look over the clues, what is out of place, what doesn’t fit or what fits better? Lets get out the fine tooth comb and find another place to chase down the treasure. Finally if you found it help us out. Send some proof but don’t think just anyone will believe you and remember there are those who would deny the facts, even keep it from the public for their own plans to work. It is harder to convince people that you have the treasure than it is to find it. Lots of people say they found it but does anybody believe them and stranger still can you find their statements? I can not find much of anything on the subject other than one liners. As for this blog I put captpappy.wordpress.com in bing and I get the Huffington post or dalniez blog the chase or other crazyy sites, Whats with that?
Good luck you hounds of Baskerfenn I mean dogs of the Forrest Fenn, bark up the right tree but leave the blazed bark for me as I will lumber by if you stick around in the wood.
The end is here today as this will be the last blog post from Capt Pappy on Fenn’s treasure.
Poker is a game of luck and without it your money soon becomes your opponent’s chips. Skill on the other hand increases the pay off when Lady Luck plays along and keeps you from going home early. The best players balance playing the odds with playing the player. The hand you hold is as good as the hand your challenger thinks it is. Reading others at the table makes or breaks those trying to be a winner.
Did Forrest Fenn hide a treasure with special meaning or is he on a bluff? What are the tells? His history, suggests many. One is the trickster. Tricksters never show their cards unless it is to mislead or taunt other players. They use the traits we all possess, both good and bad, to their advantage. They make great deals even with poor cards. They bluff, sand bag, over bet, under bet, pass, call and raise all while reading everyone at the table. Fenn is said to be a master of promotion. Is His treasure part of something being promoted?
If he did hide the treasure what does it promote? The book about his life sold out with sales soaring. Fenn says he does not “profit” from the sales. Money isn’t everything and with death looking him in the eye money loses its appeal. Behavioral psychology studies human behavior, yet science plays catch up to seasoned poke champs. They have models for why we do what we do. They think man does what he does to gain a positive reward or avoid a negative one.
Historically we see a pattern; first money, then power and at the end philanthropy. Most people won’t get to a level were they can play in such a high stakes game and for the majority just having something to leave their kids is enough. Those with more than enough look to leaving a legacy, a mark in history– a treasure perhaps.
Fenn’s left hand knows what his right hand is doing. He is making his move public and he worked hard to get on the national news scene. That isn’t easy and those who know how it’s done know it’s not done cheap. The treasure is not central to Fenn’s plan what is important is his memoirs. His history. We all want to know we “done good.” This is his statement to the world: “I done good.”
Fenn’s father was a principal in Lubbock, TX. Education was likely important to his father. In Fenn’s latest book Fenn’s lament leaks out for him not having more formal education is bothersome. He is wrong to believe the only good schools exist behind ivy covered walls. Fenn is educated far beyond the norm. Just the same its there and so it maybe the motivator to the chase a chance to be part of the history he missed in one of those jail cells keeping him from being in the game called the classroom.
With this in mind, now consider the following. Who would go out and make an impression inside a hollow at the bottom of a cottonwood tree about 8 1/2″ by 8 1/2″ with something heavy enough to imprint the soil to about 3″ deep? Who would go all the way to Yellowstone stop and walk into a valley of bison, wolves and bear then cross two streams in hopes to find a hollow at the bottom of a cottonwood just to leave an imprint? What are the odds of that? What are the chances of someone following their interpretation of a treasure poem being led to that very tree and finding the impression “in the wood”? What are the odds the three would be just down from Gary Brown’s home not too far from Mammoth Hot Springs and Soda Butte? What are the chances that the river the tree is on would be famous for fly fishing and where Forrest made money as a fishing guide? Millions to one by now but there’s more much more.
So here we are at the table. Fenn bets with a treasure and I call with my money, time and effort. He walks. Is he afraid he will give away his hiding place? Let’s follow out that possibility and see were it leads. I get a message saying no it was not hidden there but good try. So what’s the give away? Anyone? This is why a friend says he can’t tell me. How slow does he hope we are?
Fenn, I call! Are you bluffing or is the treasure gone? You said it was there in April it’s nearly June. Rules of poker say put up or dealer passes the pot. Its okay to let the public know what is the status on the treasure. You just might need to do it again… maybe much less bounty and a poem with more general clues. For me I have to walk now. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.
There are as many realities as people and in mine the treasure is real and it has been found. The chase ended in April and one or more of the “within 500 footers” are in the gold.
To the hunters everywhere, and to those who have come here, good luck may the next rainbow land in your front yard.
The end is ever drawing nigh but I am on to the next Great Chase.
Here are some places to check out on the web followed by some commentary. Placing the pictures in this blog is not allowed as the photos are copy written but just highlight and search and it will take you to some very photos. I left the comments on the photos here for you to read.
1) Night falls around what was then Ranger Gary Brown’s home. Originally published in “Yellowstone Wildlife in Winter,” National Geographic magazine, November 1967
Today, this structure serves as the Lamar Ranger Station, which provides housing for the Lamar ranger and emergency visitor services. Built near the turn of the century, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.
2)1883 Arthur Brown “Yellowstone” Watercolor Painting $75,000 – $125,000
Photograph by William Albert Allard
3)Yellowstone National Park With famous rivers like the Firehole, Madison, Gibbon, Slough Creek, Lamar, Gardner, Pebble Creek, Cache Creek, Hellroaring, Soda Butte, and of course the headwaters of the Yellowstone, our first national park offers anglers endless angling opportunites throughout the summer and fall. for big lake browns that are in the process of “running up” to spawn later in November…More Yellowstone National Park Info
The Yellowstone fires of 1988 were unprecedented in the history of the National Park Service
5)The photo below, taken in late September 1988 shows the fires smouldering in the Lamar. The valley shows no signs of the great fires today, but Specimen Ridge in the background will for a half century or more. The fires of 1988 smouldering in the Lamar; The photo was taken at Rose Creek.
The following have pictures and terms about cottonwoods as a blaze. Very beautiful.
6)Kay Witherspoon 2007 “Autumn Embers ” 11″ x 14″ oil on Linen $2400Fall Foliage in British Columbia, Cariboo Region Fall Colour
7)The Cariboo Region in central British Columbia is ablaze with yellow cottonwoods in fall.
Chris Harris / Getty Images
Wish you could see pictures on this page. It is worth seeing.
Top are three browns and the Rangers sometimes refer to the Valley as Brown Valley do to the large number of bears in the area. That makes four Browns. But do any of these Browns lead us anywhere?
How about Brown trout? No. That would be any area from here to Alaska. No help at all really.
How about a brown building? Too many brown buildings in the mountains to be useful.
How about brown trout and brown buildings? No help yet?
A clue to last over a hundred years something historical something that narrows down the search.
How about Ranger Gary A. Brown? His home was in YNP that’s a good clue.
What else about Ranger Brown? He was the assistant head director of the Yellowstone Nation Parks. Oh, Fenn spent the best summers there in YNP. Ranger Brown started a museum is Fenn into museums? Yes, check out the Will Bill Cody Center in Cody just outside Yellowstone and not too far from Lamar Valley.
Any other Browns? How about Arthur Brown he painted the watercolor of Mammoth Hot Springs. It was appraised in Billings Montana not far from Yellowstone. The painting itself has a very interesting history it may be fun to look it up if you’re a history buff. The story even has some railroad history.
Years writing, a legacy at hand plus one maybe two million dollars in the mix would Fenn just be writing junk?
How about the blaze is it the sun? No help.
Is it a sign on a tree? This would be very helpful, but first where in the Rockys do we look.
Is it a wise person who finds the blaze or is it by study we find the blaze? To keep from being left out of the chase I hope it is through study.
Any historical blaze around? The 1988 Blaze in Yellowstone change the U.S. Forest Dept’s policies on Forest fires. That’s historical. It also came close to burning down Silver and Cooke City in the NE corner of YNP just missing the Roosevelt Hotel. The fire started just north of Gary Brown’s home and it crossed the Lamar river just down from Brown’s old home.
How about the wolf who lived there named Big Blaze oh and don’t forget Little Blaze. The Lamar Valley wolf pack has lots of followers. Check out Blaze the wolf in Yellowstone it is very cool. He is no longer with us and that is sad.
Ok, you decide, have you heard of better clues? Why not share them. Is there anyone as redundant? I keep finding clues that shout Yellowstone, Lamar Valley and Lamar Ranger Station. If there were something that backs this up it is the lack of info about these clues. No one is talking about these clues maybe because they are keeping the good ones to themselves. I don’t blame them but I believe they are too late.
If you do find the treasure couldn’t you just take a picture on a dated news paper for the rest of us. It would have saved me a lot of money on travel etc.. After all I love to chase things that I have some chance of catching. Fenn knows but he ain’t talking. Maybe my interpretation of his poem is much better than his.
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