$2 million hidden treasure at center of decade-old mystery found in Rocky Mountains

The legend of famous art dealer Forrest Fenn’s hidden treasure in the Rockies has sparked perilous treks through Colorado, New Mexico Montana and Wyoming — until now.

The 13th century treasure chest full of gems, gold and jewelry has been found more than a decade after it was hidden.

Five people have died searching for the treasure, which Fenn hid between 2009 and 2010 and which he said contains $2 million in precious artifacts. Other reports estimate the treasure’s worth at just over $1 million.

Fenn hid clues to find the treasure in his memoir, writing that it was “somewhere in the mountains north of Santa Fe,” and “under a canopy of stars in the lush, forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains.”

Last week on his website he wrote that the treasure had been found, but did not reveal where it was or who found it.

“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,” Fenn wrote.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, more than 350,000 people have searched for the treasure over the years, with some quitting their jobs to hunt for the riches. Fenn said he created the hunt to get people outdoors to explore the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Asked by the Santa Fe New Mexican how he felt about the treasure being found, he said: “I don’t know, I feel halfway kind of glad, halfway kind of sad because the chase is over.”