Forrest Fenn's Treasure Found In 2020
The search for Forrest Fenn's treasure is now over. Dubbed "the chase", the treasure hunt lasted for more than 10 years and was started by the poem found in Forrest's The Thrill of the Chase book. Forrest Fenn confirmed the find and reported it to local media sources on June 6, 2020. He said an anonymous searcher from the East Coast (who he did not know) sent him a picture of the chest and enough specific details of the treasures found inside of the bronze treasure chest to know that it was found and in the searcher's possession.
On June 22, 2020, Forrest confirmed that the chest was found in Wyoming where he had left it over 10 years ago. On November 14, 2022, most of the items in the treasure chest were auctioned off by Heritage Auctions. See the latest Fenn Treasure Update.
The chase is over for now, but the memories and adventures will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of the searchers. Pictures of the chest are posted below.
On December 7, 2020, Outside Online posted an interview with the Jack Stuef, the treasure chest finder. Learn more about who he is here
Words From the Official Finder of the Bronze Fenns Treasure Chest
The finder of Fenn's Treasure posted an article on Medium.com describing his search for the treasure chest and how it took him 25 days of searching to find the treasure chest.
Alas, I’m a millennial and have student loans to pay off, so it wouldn’t be prudent to continue to own the Fenn Treasure. And at the end of the day, for all our similarities, Forrest and I couldn’t be less alike when it comes to collecting. I’m the kind of person who feels burdened by possessions and most free adventuring the world out of a carry-on suitcase, so the treasure and I will have to soon part, and I will offer it for sale (minus the turquoise row bracelet returned to Forrest, of course).
The treasure is a unique piece of American cultural history. The gold glitters, but brighter still are the embedded hopes and dreams of all the many thousands who searched for it. It should belong to a person or institution who will fully appreciate owning such an incredible thing.
But Forrest had a final wish for where he thought the treasure should end up. The first step for me will be to try to make that happen.
As for the legacy of Forrest’s chase, I suppose it is in many ways in my hands, as wrong as that feels. To be honest, I’m not sure what to do.
Whatever. Making plans is antagonistic to freedom. You will see. I’ll be back to answer some questions, in any case.
But no, not that one.
Photos From the Finder
Previously Shared Photos From The Find
Forrest Fenn's Treasure Finder Reveal
Amid all of the turmoil and lawsuits surrounding the finding of Fenn's treasure, the finder has stepped forward to set myths and lawsuits to rest. Jack Stuef of Michigan is the authenticated finder of the treasure chest and was featured in an interview by Outside Online. Learn more about the Fenn treasure chest finder and his statements about the find
The Final Chapter in The Thrill of the Chase Has Ended
It is with great sadness that we bring this news. Forrest Fenn passed on away at the age of 90. He was pronounced deceased at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Monday September 7, 2020, at about 5:04 p.m MDT. At this time of great loss, we end with some of his own words from the book that started so much adventuring:
And when my tackle box is closed at last and the cadis hatch is gone, I will rest through all of time and space, pillowed down and scented in, with a smile that comes from remembering the special things that brought me to that final place, one of which was knowing Peggy was there, somewhere, waiting for me.
- Forrest Fenn, The Thrill of the Chase
News sources reported Forrest's passing on the September 9th when the information was made public.
Additional Information From Forrest Fenn on August 24th, 2020 and posted on courtlistener.com
Specifics From Erskine v. Fenn (3:20-cv-08123)
The following statements from Forrest Fenn were included in lawsuit about the Forrest Fenn Treasure Hunt. The comments are found in Document Number 31, Attachment 1 "Exhibit Supplemental Declaration", Number 7 of 25 Supplemental Points.
"7. On June, 5 2020, someone I did not know (the "Finder") informed me that he had found the Chest in Wyoming at the exact location I had hidden it. On June 5, 2020, the Finder provided me with pictures of the Chest to confirm that it was in fact the Chest I left in the woods. The Finder brought the Chest to me in New Mexico, and I inspected it and its contents to confirm that it was indeed the Chest I had hidden in Wyoming in 2010."
From Forrest Fenn on June 22th, 2020 and posted on dalneitzel.com
The Treasure Chest was Located in Wyoming
Updated July 22nd, 2020
by Forrest
Many of the searchers for my treasure had solves that seemed to neatly fit the clues in my poem. Then when the finder found and retrieved the treasure, other searchers wondered how close they had been to the right spot. Because I promised the finder I would not reveal who found it or where, I have remained mostly silent.
However, the finder understands how important some closure is for many searchers, so today he agreed that we should reveal that the treasure was found in Wyoming. Until he found the treasure, the treasure had not moved in the 10 years since I left it there on the ground, and walked away.
Perhaps today’s announcement will bring some closure to those whose solves were in New Mexico, Colorado, or Montana.
To all of those who did not find the treasure, we hope that you got some enjoyment from the chase. f
Posted June 16th, 2020 on dalneitzel.com
Who Found Fenn's Treasure?
The treasure chest was found by a man I did not know and had not communicated with since 2018.
The finder wants me to remain silent and I always said the finder gets to make those two calls. Who and where. f
Posted June 6th, 2020 on oldsantafetradingco.com
Has the Treasure Been Found?
YES! FORREST HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREASURE HAS BEEN FOUND!
The search is over!
“It was under a canopy of stars in the lush, forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved from the spot where I hid it more than 10 years ago. I do not know the person who found it, but the poem in my book led him to the precise spot. I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries. So the search is over. Look for more information and photos in the coming days” - Forrest
From Forrest Fenn on June 6th, 2020 at 8PM PST and posted on dalneitzel.com
THE TREASURE HAS BEEN FOUND
It was under a canopy of stars in the lush, forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved from the spot where I hid it more than 10 years ago. I do not know the person who found it, but the poem in my book led him to the precise spot.
I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries.
So the search is over. Look for more information and photos in the coming days. f
Will the Location of the Forrest Fenn's Treasure Chest be Revealed?
At this time, it is up to the finder to reveal the final resting place of the treasure. That is part of the privilege of finding the treasure chest. If he chooses not to reveal the location, the secret spot may remain shrouded in mystery. This would also be appropriate since Forrest wished his bones to lie there forever. There is still the possibility that Forrest Fenn would want to be buried at the location after he passes.
Update July 22, 2020: The treasure chest was found in Wyoming. Where in the state of WY is still a mystery.
This brings a close to the search which many searchers, families, adventurers, and treasure hunters knew and loved. Many hundreds of thousands of people hunted for the Forrest Fenn's treasure chest over the years and spent countless hours reading and rereading Forrests books, scouring maps, and analyzing possibilities. The thought of finding the hidden treasure brought joy and excitement to the hearts of those searchers.
Now as the possibilities, dreams, and constant thoughts of treasure end, the searchers are left with the reality that the words of Forrest Fenn quoting Blaise Pascal ring true. "They never knew that it was the chase they sought and not the quarry." (one of the six questions with Forrest Fenn)
The chase was one of those things where the thought of it was probably better than the reality of it being found. Now is the time to test that fact.
The thrill of the chase lives on.
