The Dangerous Hunt for Treasure in Colorado's Mountains

[00:00:00] Welcome to the OutThere Colorado Podcast. I'm your host, Spencer McKee, bringing you content about outdoor recreation, culture, history, and more from Colorado Springs, Colorado. In July 2017, a body was pulled out of the Arkansas River in Colorado's Royal Gorge area. It took several months to identify the deceased, but it was eventually determined to be Eric Ashby.

[00:00:29] Ashby was a 31-year-old man that had been living in Colorado Springs at the time of his summer disappearance. Ashby had gone on a rafting trip with friends near the end of June, and the raft he was then overturned, sending him to the raging rapids below. It was tragic, and it shook the local community. No one assumes that whitewater rafting is a sport without risk, but when that risk becomes real, it can be heartbreaking.

[00:00:53] While deadly river accidents occur on Colorado's waterways every year, with more than 20 occurring in the snowmelt-swollen waters of 2019, this case sticks out among the rest due to one detail. Ashby was allegedly treasure hunting at the time he disappeared, said to be searching for millions of dollars of gold allegedly hidden somewhere in the American West.

[00:01:20] This episode of the Out There Colorado podcast is all about treasure hunting in Colorado, starting with the story behind Forrest Fenn's treasure, before moving on to cover people searching for riches on one of Colorado's famous 14ers. This first portion of the podcast was written by me, Spencer McKee, and the second part was written by Seth Boster, lightly edited for the podcasting format. Special thanks goes out to Ambrose Boswell, the man behind mixing this episode.

[00:01:48] Before this episode gets rolling, I want to share a message of caution. Treasure hunting sometimes leads to dangerous spots where life-or-death situations can occur. Exercise caution and know your own abilities prior to embarking on any sort of treasure hunt. It's also important to be aware of the local and federal rules and regulations related to treasure hunting prior to seeking riches. Without further ado, let's dig in.

[00:02:13] In April of 2016, roughly a year before Eric Ashby's fatal rafting accident, Ashby left his home state to move to Colorado. According to his family, the decision to make this move was largely influenced by his search for treasure. The treasure was thought to be that of eccentric millionaire Forrest Fenn, consisting of a chest said to be hidden somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, filled with gold nuggets, rare coins, gemstones, and jewelry.

[00:02:39] The value of this chest is estimated to be worth around $2 million, though without more specific knowledge of the contents, it's hard to be certain. Ashby's wasn't the first death related to this hidden treasure either. Randy Bilyeu, a Broomfield, Colorado resident, died in New Mexico while allegedly hunting for the same treasure. Jeff Murphy of Illinois fell down a 500-foot slope in Yellowstone while seeking the same cash.

[00:03:09] And Pastor Paris Wallace of Grand Junction, Colorado was found dead in the Rio Grande River after telling family members he was headed out to find treasure buried in the ground. Others are also assumed to have died while in pursuit. As made apparent by these fatalities, treasure hunting can come with a real risk. However, this risk hasn't kept tens of thousands from searching for Fenn's prize.

[00:03:35] In a 2016 interview with Westward, Fenn estimates that 65,000 people have been searching for his gold. No one has found it yet, with many left wondering whether or not it's actually buried somewhere in the Rocky Mountains at all. The idea of crafting a treasure hunt came to Forrest Fenn in 1988 when he had a brush with death in the form of a terminal kidney cancer diagnosis.

[00:04:05] Despite the odds, Fenn didn't die, and he eventually recovered, postponing his adventure-inspiring plan for several decades. However, when the Great Recession hit America near the end of 2007, Fenn started thinking more seriously about his treasure hunt again. According to an interview with Business Insider, he saw so much sadness and despair that he wanted to give people a reason to hope for something better, for something to believe in.

[00:04:31] In 2010, a 70-something Forrest Fenn headed north from Santa Fe on two different trips during which he allegedly buried his riches, first the chest and then filling it with all of its contents. He's now in his late 80s, and according to him, the gold has stayed put ever since. Of course, it's nearly impossible for anyone to find buried treasure without a map.

[00:04:56] While Fenn never created an official map to his treasure chest, he did publish a poem that's said to contain a list of clues to decipher. According to him, if one is able to correctly interpret the clues, the clues would lead them to the riches. To give you an idea of what the poem is like, here's a single stanza of the sixth stanza piece. Begin it where the warm waters halt, and take it in the canyon down. Not far, but too far to walk.

[00:05:26] Put in below the home of Brown. As the clues hit the public, thousands tried their best to decode his words. Apparently, no one was successful. That, or if someone was successful, they've been really good at keeping their secret. Other clues that have been released aren't left up to as much interpretation. Though, these later clues tend to act more so as guiding instructions opposed to specific directions to the treasure.

[00:05:54] It's been said the treasure will be found above 5,000 feet in elevation. It's also been said that the treasure isn't inside of a building, or a mine, or a cemetery. Other clues include that the treasure isn't that dangerous to access. After all, Finn was an aging man in his 70s when he hit his score. He's also said that the chest is likely wet. Other clues can be found in various writings, interviews, and blogs around the internet,

[00:06:22] with a number of websites dedicated to interpreting Finn's cryptic words, and several large communities of treasure seekers spending massive amounts of time, energy, and money to hunt it down. Some of these treasure seekers even try to better understand Finn's personal life, thought process, and his passions in hopes that it will give them better insight into his mind and a better chance of finding the treasure. For example, Finn is said to like waterfalls.

[00:06:51] Could this be why the chest is so wet? Many people seem to believe that the treasure could be hiding in Colorado for a number of reasons. In one interview, Finn mentions that the chest is surrounded by the scent of pine needles, pinion nuts, and sagebrush, all of which can be found in the Centennial State. Others find it noteworthy that Finn avoids explicitly mentioning Colorado in a book that he's published about his life and the hunt that he's inspired.

[00:07:21] Made odder by the fact that he seems to mention every other state that the treasure could potentially be located in within its pages. Could this be yet another subtle and intentional hint? Additionally, some hunters think that the House of Brown reference in the previously included stanza of Clues is a reference to a building called Brown's House, located in the Buena Vista area. Other lines in that verse include mentions of warm waters and a canyon,

[00:07:51] with a canyon and the hot waters that fill Mount Princeton hot springs located nearby. However, it's important to keep in mind that most of Finn's clues can be twisted in multiple ways that each seem to make their own sense. For example, there's also a possible House of Brown explanation with origins in Montana. In Gardiner, Montana, there's a Joe Brown's put-in spot on the Yellowstone River.

[00:08:18] Located nearby, there's a canyon that's home to a waterway called the Boiling River, potentially fulfilling all of the criteria for that same stanza. Internet sleuths have also tracked down a property in the Colorado Springs area that they think Finn might have owned at some point throughout his life, as well as indicators that Finn wanted to be buried in the centennial state upon his death. At this point, it's also worth mentioning that Finn's original intention

[00:08:46] was to be buried at the site of his treasure. Granted, all of these hints and clues are open to a seemingly endless gauntlet of interpretation. Hunters seem to twist them to fit their own theory as they see fit. As for Finn's reason for hiding the treasure in the first place, it wasn't to get people lost or killed. In the same aforementioned Westward interview, he makes a few statements about his motive,

[00:09:12] mostly related to inspiring adventure and finding joy in natural things during an era of changing times. Finn also encourages people to be safe while they search, utilizing the buddy system, heating seasonal changes, and bringing along a GPS. He states that the loss of life in pursuit of his treasure is tragic, but also seems to find peace in the idea that accidents can happen anywhere to anyone at any time.

[00:09:40] Roughly a decade after the treasure was left behind by Finn, it has yet to be found. And so it sits in wait, of an adventurous soul with a witty mind and a brush of luck. While many seekers might find the ambiguity of Finn's clues a bit exhausting, most seem to hold the same sentiment that Finn himself would likely share. It's not about the treasure that's found. It's about the hunt that takes you there.

[00:10:13] Before we move on to our next segment of this episode, I'd like to again address the dangers that come along with treasure hunting. Before you partake in any sort of search for gold or otherwise, it's crucial that you're aware of your own abilities and the risks that are involved. Treasure hunting can be a great adventure, but it can also be very deadly. This next portion of the podcast was written by Seth Boster, taking a look at the treasure that lurks on one of Colorado's 14,000-foot mountains. Enjoy!

[00:10:40] The road is even worse than before, steep and slim and boulder-strewn as always. But now, with avalanche debris adding an extra crunch and rivers running wider and deeper, packed with snowmelt. Sandra Gonzalez slams on the accelerator. The jeep blasts through the water, and her mom in the passenger seat,

[00:11:06] 83-year-old Viola Padilla, lets out a loud cheer like a child. And the ascent continues on one of Colorado's most notorious roads, the jagged, bone-rattling, white-knuckling, heart-pounding track toward Mount Intero's 14,269-foot summit. The switchbacks start on the tundra, skirting sheer drop-offs. Dead Man's Curve is named for obvious reasons.

[00:11:35] Padilla uses the risk of the curve as an example of how crazy the duo is. According to her, they're rock-crazy, along with the other pilgrims drawn by the talisman locked in this granite. The mountain is home to North America's highest gem field, as learned in the 2013 episode of a reality TV show called Prospectors. Though brief in its run on the Weather Channel, the show has had a lasting impact on the local area.

[00:12:05] More seekers have come for the ultimate prize, aquamarine crystals considered to be world-class. Craig Cardwell, one of the subjects on Prospectors, and one of the mountain's claim holders, based in Buena Vista, has noticed this shift following the publicity. But Gonzales and Padilla were here before this pop culture wave, every summer of the 12 years since they staked their first claim.

[00:12:32] They scour mountains elsewhere, but Intero poses their ultimate treasure hunt. According to Gonzales, that's what drives them, the treasure hunt. Gonzales had a successful career as a therapist before retiring to pursue her childhood hobby of scrounging around in the dirt. For Padilla, the mountain makes her feel young, rejuvenated. The Colorado natives figure prominently in the state's rockhound scene.

[00:13:00] Gonzales owns the Denver Mineral and Fossil Show, among the biggest of its kind in the country. She's been a mentor for newcomers to the field, including Jason Royce and Ian Shrimpley, the rising stars on Intero, as she calls them. She guided them here five years ago, watched them straddle a ridge amid fierce, blistering winds to stake their claim. On the rough road now, the guys are ahead in their Toyota truck, getting amped as they listen to electronic music.

[00:13:30] They're friends, going back to the sixth grade. Now, Royce is 40 and Shrimpley 39, but their looks belie their age. They both wear flat-brimmed caps, Shrimpley with a cherubic face and soft-spoken, analytic tone that contrasts the bearded, tattooed Royce straight talk. If you happen to get on this former boxer's bad side, he'll let you know. But get Royce laughing, and he dissolves, as if a boy.

[00:13:58] So he did alongside Shrimpley on their first Intero dig of the season a few weeks ago. They came away with aquamarine they later measured to be about 831 carats, estimating the worth between $20,000 and $60,000. They kept the stash in a Ziploc bag. They showed it to Gonzales during a stop at their mosquito-infested home for the summer, the forest above 11,000 feet where several other tents have been pitched, a modern-day mining camp.

[00:14:28] They kept the bag close to the chest. According to the group, if you flash things for people, they go crazy. They get money signs in their eyes. With a pistol on his belt, Royce calls it Blue Fever. It could only be called mild way back when, as aquamarine was more of a curiosity than a market force. But Blue Fever might have been detected as early as 1885.

[00:14:58] Mark Jacobson, a geologist and author of Antero Aquamarines, traces pioneer awareness to that year, when a letter of discovery was penned. Access to the gym field was hard-earned on foot. Then, following his World War II service, Grady Cardwell and a rugged bunch got an idea to carve a road, their interest being beryllium up high that had some demand at the time.

[00:15:26] The grandson of Grady Cardwell, Craig Cardwell, recalls asking his grandpa how that was done. The response was simple. Lots of whiskey, lots of dynamite, and lots of fortitude. Grady Cardwell's beryllium venture was short-lived, but the road was blazed for the next generation of rockhounds, including his grandson. Craig and his wife oversee Mount Intero treasures, where they craft jewelry from their finds above timberline.

[00:15:55] Aquamarine has been Craig's focus since the new century, as it has been for many dreamers, some with ill intent. Robert Spumer, the owner of Buena Vista Gym Works, whose Antero interest dates back to the 1970s, has observed a cultural shift. According to him, as told on his website, Once upon a time, no one much cared if he went up there and prospected around, unless he went poaching directly in the active hole they were working in.

[00:16:24] Now, claimholders tend to be much more in-your-face and confrontational. Yes, it seems the Wild West has caught up to Intero. According to the aforementioned Cardwell, some of the guys in the business are pretty sketchy. He's heard stories of people being caught on their claims, leading to gunfights and people getting beat up pretty bad. Tents have been seen ripped by apparent rivals. Some lose sleep at camp,

[00:16:51] fearing a thief in the night snatching riches from half-dug pockets. On the road, claimants look for friends and possible foes, strangers with picks and shovels in tow. Amy Titterington, a U.S. Forest Service geologist assigned to Intero, has seen the shouting matches, the tense standoffs. She's seen more miners daring the extreme elements and more flights for life.

[00:17:21] Other conflicts have come from an increased number of fortune-seeking vagrants, she writes in an email. In her opinion, an increased Forest Service or law enforcement presence would help alleviate some of these issues, but ultimately, it's up to the claimant to protect their claim. To an extent, under terms of casual use defined by law, outsiders can scavenge federal ground without a permit. But land managers warn of intruding,

[00:17:49] especially with Intero's slopes proliferated with claims, some marked and some not. To be sure of their locations, one is directed to the county courthouse to pull records and maps. Or, one can try for a claim for themselves. It's a fairly straightforward process through the Bureau of Land Management, which handles applications for Intero and charges $225 for plots up to 20 acres. But in the wake of prospectors, regulators deem space on the mountain extremely limited.

[00:18:19] The BLM counts about 180 claims across Intero and neighboring Mount White. From Spumer's view, the owner of Buena Vista Gym Works, the television show caused a mineral-claiming frenzy, blanketing the area with claims of unknown, uncertain, and erroneous validity. And the show struck fear in conservationalists watching along, including Loretta McKelleny, the Forest Service 14-year's program manager.

[00:18:48] She watched rocks moved over slopes, sent crashing down to potentially unsuspecting travelers. The job hasn't taken her to Intero lately, but she wonders about the widespread digging. According to her, anytime we do anything that makes the land less stable, it has the potential for impacting the waterways below. It has the potential for impacting wildlife. She wonders, too, about the general mining law of 1872 that still largely dictates regulation,

[00:19:18] or lack thereof. She thinks it's worth another look. Cardwell hears the critics of the television show Prospectors. On the issue of the environment, he embraces that conversation. One of the things he's taken pride in for many years is being a good steward. He wants to demonstrate that in a show he's trying to bankroll himself. While his production company shops the concept around, the first episode of his show, Mount Intero Treasures,

[00:19:47] dropped on YouTube earlier this year. It features Shrimpley and Royce, who, on their packs, carry the principles of Leave No Trace. According to him, some people think they're destroying the land out of greed, but that's definitely not the case for a majority of the people they know up there. Shrimpley shares how he feels on top of the mountain. He thinks of Chief Intero, a leader known as a peacemaker between his people and outsiders. He thinks Intero's spirit still lives there. He does acknowledge that

[00:20:17] some people think the mountain causes people to go crazy. Blue fever. And he thinks that's true to an extent. He's seen it. But for the majority, he thinks the mountain brings people together more than anything. Like a family. So it appears at the end of the road where the group finds a pair of hairy, dirt-stained rockhounds named Billy and Greg, the latter wearing a cap proclaiming, This land is your land. This land is my land. Greg shares his collection

[00:20:46] and the group geeks out about his finds for a minute or so. Then they part ways to dig, but only for so long, with dark clouds rolling in. Gonzalez and her mom start down the road, following the other two in their truck, which soon hits a rock and stalls dangerously above 13,500 feet. According to Gonzalez, now stuck behind the bickering boys, this is all part of Intero. They swear in the mud, toiling under the truck for the problem. Almost a half hour passes.

[00:21:16] It might be time for plan B. Time for a long slog down for help. But then they're on their feet, rejoicing with greasy high fives as the truck roars to life again. They rumble down, almost out of the woods. Then Roys realizes he's lost a pin from his hat. Lost in the river, he suspects. When he tells Gonzalez to go ahead, he's going back, and his partner and friend is going back with him, despite Gonzalez's advice. She tells him it's gone.

[00:21:46] He begs to differ. But the pin is precious to him, and he won't be stopped, no matter the cold, rushing water. He'll keep his eyes peeled, as he always does, for that glimmer in the muck. Thanks so much for tuning in to this episode of the Out There Colorado podcast. I hope you enjoyed this brief look at treasure hunting in the Centennial State. The first portion of this podcast about Forrest Fenn's treasure was written by me, Spencer McKee.

[00:22:16] The second portion, about Mountain Tarot, was written by Seth Boster, lightly edited for the podcasting format. Special thanks goes out to Ambrose Boswell, the man behind the audio of this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating or a review on whatever platform you're using to tune in. If you've got questions or an idea for our next show, we can be reached at info at outtherecolorado.com. All right, that's all I've got for you today. Until next time, I'm your host, Spencer McKee. Drive safe,

[00:22:45] and have a wonderful day.