Welcome to MysteriousWritings’ Forrest Fenn Friday: Questions on The Thrill of the Chase Treasure Hunt. We’ve done other Friday segments in the past with Forrest over the years, like Friday’s Fenn Favorite Quote or Weekly Words, but this segment is where we ask a question on the Chase– in hopes to help narrow down thoughts for the location of the treasure chest or help confirm search areas.

We believe the right questions must be asked first, in order to begin finding the right answers.

This week’s Question concerns Forrest Fenn’s Special Place or hiding spot for the treasure chest.  A question to ask ourselves is ‘Does your solution lead to a place that could be considered special to Forrest Fenn’.

Here is the MW Video offering some thoughts towards that question; or below it are some of the things Forrest has mentioned about the location of his hidden treasure chest that helps us consider if our solution matches to Forrest’s special place (which on in the video).

1)(From HDNet’s Jennifer London’s story about Forrest Fenn’s hidden treasure)

Question to Forrest) How did you pick that particular spot to bury the chest?

Answer from Forrest)Well, I don’t want to give too many more clues, but it’s a very special place to me.  Otherwise, I would not have done it.  I mean I just couldn’t take it out and bury it in the ground someplace where I didn’t know where I was.  I think that was a crucial part of it.

2) MysteriousWritings Questions with Forrest (2014)

Q)Mr. Fenn, Did you choose the hiding location purely because it was special to you, or were there other considerations? (I’m not talking about logistics like transporting yourself there, ease of access, not being spotted). ~Michael Monroe

A)Thanks Michael. The spot where I hid the treasure was in my mind from the time I first started thinking about the chase. It is special to me and there was never another consideration. I was going to make it work no matter what. In my reverie I often find myself stealing away to that place and I will always consider it to be mine alone.f

3)MysteriousWritings Questions with Forrest (2014)

Q)Would you want the person that finds your treasure to admire the place where it rests? Andrew

A)Well Andrew, I’m not sure “admire” is the right word but if we twist it a little maybe we can make it work. The word means approval or high regard. So it works. I sure feel that way or I would not have hidden it there. I like the way you think Andrew. f

4)(The Searchers- New Mexico True Stories Video)

Forrest has said:

If I was standing where the treasure chest is, I’d see trees.  I’d see mountains.  I’d see animals.  I’d smell wonderful smells of pine needles or pinon nuts and sage brush, and I know the treasure chest is wet.

5)On page 131 of The Thrill of the Chase:

Forrest wrote:

I knew exactly where to hide the chest so it would be difficult to find but not impossible. It’s in the mountains somewhere north of Santa Fe.

So does your understanding of the poem lead you to a ‘special place?’   Take a step back from your solution and ask yourself, ‘Would Forrest Fenn have picked this place – from all others– to hide his treasure?’

If there isn’t something ‘unique’ about it, you might want to reconsider your solution.

What do you think are some other things Forrest has said about his ‘Special Place’ that could help confirm or narrow down search locations?  Let us know in comments below (here or on the YouTube video about it).

Thanks for being a part of the MW Community!

Best of luck to all that you seek!  Always treasure the adventure!

45 Comments

  1. Thank You Ms. Kile. There was another (#3) person who was on KTVQ or Q2 news yesterday morning that was allegedly looking for the chest in YNP and fell 5000 ft last June. The authorities looked into the files on the computer used by the person, and this is what was suspected.

    What part of 79-80 means scale a mountain to get to it?

    Be wise out there everyone!

    Yes, my solve is special, as well! It’s “The Thrill of the Chase”! All I really care to offer.

    Chesney

  3. Thanks, Jenny when Forrest describes the trees, smells. animals and his special place one can almost see it in their mind! I hope one of us finds it real soon maybe this year!! It is probably so simple it is just too hard to make out the place and it has been right in front of our noses the whole time. Cannot wait to try another solve and adventure this year. This is getting more frustrating no one finding it yet. Good luck all….. Ms. Girl

    MS girl

  4. Another Great Topic for discussion, Jenny.

    It must be a Very Special Place to Forrest for him to put This Place at the top of the list.

    A Place of retreat. A Place of Peace. The Place where he was going to throw himself on top of the Treasure Chest and Go in Peace…so it must be Very Special.

    Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

    “I want sweaty bodies out there looking for my treasure — they just have to find the clues.” – Forrest Fenn

    Moses also comes to mind…and Forrest must have mentioned Him for Some Reason. Moses also had a Special Place…which He found after seeing a Blaze and went to investigate. I wonder if Forrest is hinting at that.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsDnrFBpsBk

    JC1117

    1. Great clip from A River Runs Through It, and Redford was wise to select that stretch of the GALLATIN River.

      I’ve lived on the big Blackfoot. While it holds its own beauty, the Gallatin canyon cliffs backlit in the half light are a special glimpse of God’s majesty….truly my favorite place in Montana.

      Stade

      1. Hello Stade. Out of the rivers in Montana, which would you fly fish? I’ve always thought that the Madison was the “It” place to fish, but I really don’t know. I’ve been telling my family I would like for my family and me to fish in Montana, but I don’t know which to choose.

        If anyone would like to comment which one, I would greatly appreciate it.

        pdenver

        1. Hello, Pdenver.

          I wish I could answer your question…but I’ve never fished in Montana…but my older brother has fished there many times.

          I could text him and get a few answers for you…but I’m sure he wouldn’t want me to advertise anything publicly. You know how fishermen are with their secrets and their spots.

          What I did hear recently…and feel that I can share…is that in late summer…in rivers that are known for good trout fishing in Montana…and where the river flow rate is fairly constant because it’s fed by a reservoir…a larger percentage of trout…especially the big ones…prefer the colder water nearer the outlet of the dam…where the cold water is coming directly from the bottom of the reservoir. That’s just what I heard.

          (Punctuation. Schmunktuation.) 🙂

          JC1117

          1. Thank you, JC1117. I appreciate the information. Certainly wouldn’t want you to give up your brother’s secret place. The family will be at the Yellowstone River during the opening season, but would like them to experience something different. I’ve read several things about fly fishing in Montana and would love to give it a try.

            pdenver

            1. Hello Stade. That was kind of you to try and do so. I’m a beginner trying to master the techniques in fly fishing. I do enjoy it. With much gratitude to Mr. Fenn and Dal of the video of Mr. Fenn tying the Wooly Worms, I’ve been able to tie some.

              pdenver

              1. Pdenver, if there is a local Orvis retail shop near where you live, some offer free instruction.

                You expressed interest in the Madison River – which is famous for it’s 50 mile riffle, big brown trout. As Forrest mentioned the Madison has become so well known that its often elbow to elbow fishing and drift boats during the summer. Off-season you would have more elbow room on the river and it’s fished year round. Local guides can set you up with the right flies for the current hatch, and drifting the Madison with a fishing guide would not disappoint even though it’s expensive. If you plan to fish Without a guide, Three dollar Bridge on the upper Madison has public access and parking.

                The Gallatin River which runs from deep inside Yellowstone to Bozeman is one of the most scenic in south western Montana, but may be difficult to catch fish Without a guide telling you which flies to use.. My father taught both of my sons to fly fish on the Gallatin. There are a couple stretches with Sandy banks that are safe for children to learn how to back cast without wading the slippery rocks. The Gallatin is accessible to the public for long stretches and you can find parking near the Presbyterian church camp at the entrance to the Canyon. River rafting and zip lining on the Gallatin are terrific family activities, if your children are older. If you’re on Highway 191 in the canyon, be sure to stop at Soldiers chapel for a magnificent view of Lone Mountain.

                The Taylor’s fork of the Gallatin River – which is north of big sky – is a fun family place to camp and teach kids to fish mid summer – autumn. Gorgeous views. (Spring runoff makes it muddy and not fishable.)

                The Big Horn River From Billings can be navigated by drift boat through the Crow Indian reservation and is famous for its huge brown trout and great fishing.

                Central Montana – floating the Missouri River Canyon between wolf creek and Great Falls in drift boat.
                Big Blackfoot and Clearwater Rivers between Lincoln and Missoula country are great fishing. I’m not a Flyfisher, but have enjoyed “bait” spinner fishing on both of those rivers.

                Northern Montana, Kootenai river is beautiful. My family enjoys floating the middle Fork of the Flathead River from Glacier Park. Beautiful country!

                Stade

                2. Stade – You know your rivers in montana pretty well- The middle fork is good and so is the north fork of the Flathead . Above the Hungry Horse Dam where the river flows into the lake The Southfork feeds the dam .There are huge trout that run in the spring.

                  WoodyBogg

              2. pdenver, the Yellowstone is a great place to wet your Don Martinez woolly worms. It’s a large river but the cutthroat will love them. If you happen to be near Bozeman try your woollys on the East Gallatin, one of my favorites. Access may be a problem though as it’s been awhile since I fished it. I once had a fantastic opening day on the Madison, if it’s running high try the tribs. And never ever forget about master Fenn’s favorites;) Good Luck!

                Strawshadow

                1. Hello Strawshadow. Why would I use Mr. Martinez’s Wooly Worms if I can make my own? Thank you for the information about East Gallatin. What are tribs? There will be 15, (hopefully, 19) of us going and I would LOVE to make this a memorable fishing trip for the family. I only know of the Wooly Worm and the other one he mentioned in the scrapbooks. I forgot, he had a little bit more about the flies, but I don’t recall if the one were of just his Father’s. Which do you speak of?

                  pdenver

                2. Don Martinez had Bud Lily’s shop in West before Bud. He also introduced the woolly in Yellowstone. His had no tail much like Mr. Fenn’s woollys without red tails. I should have said your woollys in the style of, my bad. I believed he also mentioned a “Blue Dun” dry fly and may have been the fly that landed the big rainbow. Tributaries;)

                  Strawshadow

                3. Hello Strawshadow. I had forgotten about the scrapbook about the Blue Dun fly. Last year, I tried a Dun fly (don’t recall which kind) on Slough Creek, and I had my very first bite and the fish kept the fly. I didn’t realize the first Wooly Worm didn’t have the red tail, but I do recall the video of Mr. Fenn making one, did. Thank you for explaining the term.

                  pdenver

              4. I’m in a desert at this time and I found a fly shop that has free casting every Saturday at a local park and once a month older gentlemen teach fly tying–free. I think the deal is that if you are having fun and successful, perhaps you might consider spending money on stuff later. Also it is a sport where there seems to be a lot of help from the ‘masters.’ There is no fly water around me yet I found a good fly shop–they travel to the Rockies in the summers.

                Pen Ghost

                1. Hello Pen Ghost. As a beginner such as yourself, you must be having fun, and I believe your skills are much better than mine. I’m having problems placing my line straight upon the waters. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out one way or the other. The fly shops are like candy shops for fly fishermen. I always walk out the door with a few. I don’t know how many times we’ve stopped and purchased some while heading to Yellowstone last year. It was quite funny; didn’t think we’d ever get there before dark. 🙂

                  pdenver

          2. Hello, Stade.

            I learned a while back that if you paste 3 or more hotlinks into your post they tend to vanish into the ether…being labeled as spam. 🙂

            I don’t know if that’s what happened. If it is…you should be able to get away with 2 links in a post.

            JC1117

      2. Stade, “truly my favorite place in Montana”-Ditto that!

        My grandparents picked the Gallatin canyon to camp and fish in the mid 60’s. I believe God spoke to me there when I was five. In 2009 I went back for the first time in thirty-five years, and while driving down the canyon I thought I saw (who I now believe to be) Forrest in a parking lot along the road. I have since come to the conclusion that maybe he was burying one of his ‘other’ treasures at that time. It’ too bad they wernt the same place, woulda made for a heckuva story! 🙂

        Hmmm….Four Corners up north, Four Corners down south…seems Forrest likes to hang out around four corners!

        miafarmerfriend

  5. Kudos, Jenny, on this new thought-provoking format.

    Regarding Forrest’s “special place”, I believe the question you reiterated last week gives us the most information about general attributes that may be associated with it.

    “Are you willing to say whether the place of the treasure chest is the same as the one where you had previously plotted to have your bones rest forever?”~anonymous
    Dear Anon, I feel somewhat disadvantaged since you chose to not identify yourself but I will answer your question anyway.
    Yes it is. F

    Though I firmly believe the poem is all we need to lead to the chest, there’s other information, IMO, provided by Forrest that may lend a bit of assurance we’re correct in our guesses and/or help rule out certain locations, and I believe the Q&A above is a piece of that.

    With regard to what makes it special, I’m not aware of other comments from F that provide more detail or better insight, and we may never be privy to the answer. Could it be memories accrued from his time and/or activities at that location, with family and friends, that make it a special place? Is there something about, or at, the location, something that isn’t apparent on any map or GE and requires a physical presence to see or feel, that makes it special?

    Thanks again for the new format.
    Joe

    Joe

    1. As you say, “. . . we may never be privy to the answer.” and if we found out, would we say or keep it silent. Perhaps some parts of things are to remain unspoken yet revered and understood. It might be something that individuals figure out for themselves and better left from those who have not reached the maturity it takes to understand the specialness of the place. I think what makes it special to f is perhaps understood after the poem is solved and the place is seen (I can’t remember how f said it) is seen for the first time or revered (something of that nature). In which case, I would chose silence because IMO it is at the center of ff’s soul and that is to be respected as well as acknowledged and understood. IMO it is a treasure in itself.

      Pen Ghost

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