You’ve probably seen the guy. He’s standing on a cliff edge near the Dakota River, looking slightly frantic and talking about a legendary treasure. His name is Máximo Cristóbal Valdespino. He’s a "famous explorer"—or so he says—and he’s got a lead on the Jack Hall Gang’s stash. If you’re playing Red Dead Redemption 2, this is usually the very first treasure hunt you’ll stumble upon in Chapter 2.
Honestly, it’s one of the best ways to get Arthur Morgan some quick cash early on. But if you're staring at that sketch in your satchel and wondering where the hell those two rock pillars are, don't worry. You aren't the only one who got turned around.
Where is the Jack Hall Gang Map 1 Location?
The first map you get from Máximo points directly to a landmark called Caliban’s Seat.
It is basically a giant limestone ridge located just south of Valentine in the Heartlands of New Hanover. If you look at your in-game map, it’s that distinct, curved rock formation sitting right above the "N" and "O" in New Hanover. You really can’t miss it once you’re in the area; it looks like a massive stone wave frozen in time.
How to get the first map
Wait. You might not even have the map yet. If you haven't talked to Máximo, head to the ridge overlooking the river northwest of Flatneck Station. He’ll try to sell it to you for $10. Pro tip: if you decline, he’ll drop the price to $5. Or, if you're leaning into the outlaw lifestyle, you can just rob him or "accidentally" knock him off the cliff and loot his body. If he disappears because you scared him off, check any Fence later—they usually carry it.
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Scaling Caliban’s Seat
Finding the mountain is the easy part. Getting to the actual treasure requires a bit of "clunky Rockstar parkour."
- Approach Caliban's Seat from the south/southeast side. There’s a natural slope you can ride your horse up to reach the plateau.
- Once you're at the top, look for a small, abandoned campsite.
- From that campsite, face the cliff edge that looks back toward Valentine. You’ll see a narrow stone path leading down the right side of the rock face.
- Get off your horse. Do not try this on horseback unless you want a very sad cutscene.
- Walk along the ledge. You’ll have to jump across a small gap. Don't overthink it; just a quick hop.
- Keep shimmying along. You’ll eventually reach a white, chalky-looking crevice in the rock.
Search that hole. You won't find gold bars just yet, but you will find a Pearl Necklace (which you can sell or give to Tilly later) and, more importantly, Jack Hall Gang Map 2.
Why everyone gets stuck here
The sketch on the first map is... let's be real, it's a bit vague. It shows two tall rock pillars and a mountain. A lot of players end up wandering around Cumberland Forest because the geography looks similar. The "flip" in the map's perspective is what throws people off.
The map depicts the view of Caliban's Seat as if you were looking at it from the Dakota River. Once you realize the "two pillars" on the map are just the twin peaks of the ridge you're standing on, it all clicks.
What comes after Map 1?
Finding the first location is just the start of the "All That Glitters" quest. This isn't a one-and-done deal. The Jack Hall Gang treasure hunt has three stages:
- Location 1: Caliban’s Seat (Where you are now).
- Location 2: Cotorra Springs. This is way up north in Ambarino. You’re looking for a circle of rock piles (cairns) near the geysers. The second stash is hidden in the middle stack.
- Location 3: O'Creagh's Run. This is the big payoff. There’s a tiny island in the middle of the lake. Swim out there (check your horse's stamina first!) and flip over a loose rock on the south side of the island.
The final reward is two Gold Bars. Back at a Fence, those are worth $500 each. For a Chapter 2 Arthur, $1,000 is basically enough to upgrade the entire camp and buy a fancy new Schofield Revolver with change to spare.
Expert Tips for the Hunt
If you're doing this early in the game, keep an eye out for the Legendary Wolf. It spawns very close to the second map location at Cotorra Springs. If you hear a howl that sounds a little too close for comfort, get your rifle out.
Also, watch your footing on those ledges at Caliban's Seat. If Arthur starts that "slipping" animation, try to pull back toward the rock wall. The game can be a little touchy about the hitbox on those narrow paths.
The Jack Hall Gang Map 1 location is essentially your introduction to how RDR2 wants you to think. It’s not about following a GPS marker; it’s about looking at the skyline and matching the shapes. Once you've grabbed the map from that crevice, you're well on your way to becoming the richest outlaw in New Hanover.
Go sell that Pearl Necklace at the Fence in Emerald Ranch to kickstart your funds, then head north to the springs. Your gold is waiting.