You're freezing. If you've spent more than five minutes in the Grizzlies, you know that bone-chilling wind in Red Dead Redemption 2 isn't just for show—it actually drains your core while you're squinting at the snow trying to find a tiny cabin. Most players stumble upon the Poisonous Trail Map 1 by accident while hunting legendary animals or just trying to stay alive in the Ambarino wilderness. Honestly, it’s one of the best treasure hunts in the game because it doesn't just hand you the gold; it forces you to actually look at the environment, which is kinda the whole point of Rockstar’s world-building.
Finding that first piece of paper is the hardest part. You aren't looking for a chest in a town or a reward from a high-stakes poker game. You're looking for a literal hole in the wall in a place most people avoid because of the wolves.
Where the Poisonous Trail Map 1 is Hiding
Cairn Lake. That’s your destination. It’s a frozen sheet of ice tucked away in the northwest corner of the map, just a bit northeast of Colter, that abandoned mining town where the game starts.
There is a small shack on the eastern shore of the lake called Cairn Lodge. It looks like every other derelict building in the game, but don't just walk past it. Go inside. It’s cramped, messy, and feels like someone died there a long time ago. You'll want to check under the bed. There's a lockbox there. Open it, and you'll find the Poisonous Trail Map 1.
Most people get distracted by the Flaco Hernandez gunslinger mission which happens right in this same spot. If you’re there to duel Flaco, do yourself a favor and grab the map before you ride off into the sunset. It saves you a massive trip back through the snow later.
Decoding the Sketch
When you actually open the map, it’s basically a charcoal drawing of some rocks. Not very helpful, right?
Well, if you look closely, the drawing features a distinct rock formation that looks a bit like a face or a jagged tooth. This is meant to lead you to Face Rock in Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. The jump from the snowy peaks of Ambarino to the red dirt of Lemoyne is jarring. It shows just how much ground Arthur (or John) has to cover to see this through. The Poisonous Trail isn't a "one-afternoon" kind of quest unless you’re fast-traveling like a madman.
Why This Specific Treasure Hunt is Different
A lot of the gold in RDR2 feels like a participation trophy. You find a map, you go to the "X," you get the bar. The Poisonous Trail is different because the final payoff is significantly higher than most. We’re talking about four gold bars. In the game's economy, that’s $2,000. That buys a lot of premium cigarettes and horse insurance.
There's also the lore factor. The "Poisonous Trail" name itself suggests something darker than just a lost inheritance. While the game doesn't give you a diary entry explicitly explaining who hid this, the locations—Face Rock, a snake-shaped mound, and a hidden cave behind a waterfall—suggest someone with a very specific, perhaps slightly paranoid, sense of geography.
Common Mistakes at Cairn Lake
People miss the lockbox constantly. The lighting in that cabin is terrible. If you don't have your lantern out, you’ll likely walk right over the map. Also, watch out for the bear. There is a random encounter near Cairn Lake where a grizzly will basically teleport behind you. It’s terrifying.
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Another thing: don't try to find the second location without actually having the first map in your inventory. The "trigger" for the treasure to physically appear in the world usually requires you to have inspected the previous clue. You can't just skip to the end because you saw a spoiler online; the game wants you to earn it.
The Path to Face Rock
Once you have the Poisonous Trail Map 1, you’re heading south. Way south.
Face Rock is located just west of Ringneck Creek in Lemoyne. It’s a massive crag that, when viewed from the right angle (specifically from the north looking south), looks exactly like a human profile. It’s eerie. You aren't looking for a box here; you’re looking for a hollow tree.
- Find the "face" in the rock.
- Walk behind it toward the hills.
- Look for a large, rotting tree trunk that’s still standing.
- Reach inside the hole.
That will give you Map 2. The hunt gets significantly more "Indiana Jones" from here on out.
The Reality of Treasure Hunting in 1899
It’s easy to forget how much of a slog this was meant to be. Arthur doesn't have GPS. He has a piece of parchment and a horse that might trip over a pebble at any second. If you’re playing for immersion, try to find these spots without the mini-map. The Poisonous Trail Map 1 is specifically designed to test your ability to recognize landmarks.
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Rockstar’s level designers used "silhouette recognition." They made sure that the landmarks on these maps have unique shapes that stand out against the horizon. It’s brilliant design. It turns the player into an actual scout.
Is the Reward Worth the Ride?
Yes.
$2,000 in Red Dead Redemption 2 is essentially "infinite money" for the mid-game. You can fully upgrade the camp, buy the best Arabian horse, and still have enough left over to pay off every bounty you accrue while being a menace in Saint Denis.
Actionable Next Steps for the Hunt
If you're sitting at your console or PC right now, here is exactly how to finish this efficiently.
- Dress for the Cold: Wear your "Legendary Bear" outfit or anything with "Good for Cold Weather" stats before heading to Cairn Lake. If your health core starts flashing, you're losing the ability to aim straight if those wolves show up.
- Clear the Gunslinger Mission: If you haven't done the "The Noblest of Men, and a Woman" mission yet, pick up the Flaco Hernandez photo. It puts a waypoint right near the map location.
- Check the Chimney: While you’re in the Cairn Lake cabin for the map, check the chimney. There’s often some extra loot or a cigarette card hanging around nearby.
- Head to Lemoyne Next: Don't linger in the snow. Take the map to the post office or a fast travel point and get to Rhodes. The transition from Map 1 to Map 2 is the biggest distance jump in the questline.
- Prepare for the Cave: The final stage of this trail (Map 3) involves a very dark cave behind a waterfall at Elysian Pool. Buy a lantern or make sure your electric lamp is ready. You will literally fall to your death if you can't see the ledges.
The Poisonous Trail is a test of patience, but finding that first map is the key that unlocks the biggest payday in the heartlands. Go get your gold.