You're freezing. Your horse is agitated. The wind in the Grizzlies West literally sounds like it’s trying to kill you. Most people riding through the snow near Colter are just trying to get back to the warmer parts of the map, but if you're not stopping at Cairn Lake, you're basically leaving four gold bars on the table. That is $2,000. In 1899, that's enough to buy a small army or at least fully deck out Arthur's camp with leather seats and a fast travel map.
The rdr2 the poisonous trail map 1 is the start of arguably the most annoying yet lucrative scavenger hunt in the game. It’s not like the Jack Hall Gang hunt where a guy literally hands you the map for five bucks. This one is tucked away. It’s quiet.
Finding the First Scrap of Paper
To get things moving, you need to head to the northwest corner of the map. Specifically, Cairn Lake in Ambarino. If you’ve started the "The Noblest of Men, and a Woman" side mission to track down Flaco Hernandez, you’ll end up here anyway.
Look for the tiny, sad-looking shack on the edge of the frozen lake.
Go inside. It’s cramped. Honestly, it smells like wet wood and old socks in there. You'll see a bed. Don't just look at it; crouch down and look under it. There’s a lockbox. Open that sucker up, and inside you’ll find the first map.
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What the Map Actually Shows
The drawing on the first map is... cryptic. It looks like a face. Not a human face, but a rock formation that some ancient geological process decided should look like a grumpy old man. This is Face Rock.
If you aren't a human encyclopedia of the RDR2 landscape, finding this is a pain. Most players assume it’s back in the mountains. It’s not. You have to ride all the way down to Lemoyne.
Why This Map Trips People Up
The biggest mistake? Thinking you can just go to the final treasure location at Elysian Pool and skip the steps.
You can't.
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Rockstar programmed this so the treasure won't actually "spawn" or become interactable unless you have physically opened and inspected the preceding maps in your satchel. You have to play by the rules. It’s sort of a "rite of passage" for treasure hunters.
The journey from the frozen peaks of Ambarino to the humid fields of Scarlett Meadows is a long trek. You're going from the very top of the map to the bottom right quadrant.
- Location: North of Rhodes.
- Landmark: West of Ringneck Creek.
- Specific Spot: Look for a large rocky outcrop that looks like a profile of a face.
Once you’re at Face Rock, don't just stand there admiring the view. Walk behind the "head." You’re looking for a specific hollowed-out tree stump. It’s about six feet tall, charred, and looks like it’s seen better days. Reach into the base of that stump, and you’ll pull out the second map.
The Grind for the Gold
Let's talk about why you're doing this. The end goal is the Elysian Pool cave. This isn't just a "walk in and grab it" situation. The cave is a literal labyrinth. It’s dark, slippery, and one wrong jump will send Arthur plummeting into a black pit where he'll die instantly.
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You need a lantern. You also need patience.
When you finally reach the end of the chain—after finding the third map at the Serpent Mound—you’ll be navigating a crawlspace behind the waterfall at Elysian Pool. You’ll have to jump across a chasm. It’s sketchy. But at the end of that tunnel, tucked into a pile of rocks, are those four gold bars.
Pro Tip for the Trip
Before you head out to find the rdr2 the poisonous trail map 1, make sure you have some Winter Green or potent bitters. The Grizzlies are no joke, and if your cores are low, a stray wolf pack will end your treasure hunt before it even starts.
Also, sell those bars at the Fence in Saint Denis or Emerald Ranch immediately. Carrying $2,000 worth of gold in your pocket is a great way to get robbed by a random encounter on the road.
Next Steps for Your Hunt
Grab your warmest coat and fast-travel to Colter if you have it unlocked. Ride south to Cairn Lake and snag that map from under the bed. Once you have it, open your satchel, read it, and set your waypoint for the Scarlett Meadows in Lemoyne to find Face Rock. Don't forget to actually "inspect" the map in your inventory, or the next clue won't be there when you arrive.