RDR2 The Poisonous Trail Map 1 Complete Treasure Hunt Guide

Tracking down the elusive treasures scattered throughout the frontier of Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most rewarding endeavors available to players. Among these multi-stage hunts, the Poisonous Trail stands out due to its substantial gold rewards and completely unmarked starting location. Finding the initial map requires braving the freezing temperatures of Ambarino and carefully searching a specific remote wilderness location.
Finding the Starting Map at Cairn Lake
To begin this lucrative hunt, players must travel to the snowy northwest corner of the map in the region known as Grizzlies West. Your destination is Cairn Lake, a small frozen body of water located just north of the town of Valentine. You will need to bring warm winter clothes to protect Arthur Morgan from the harsh weather draining his health core.
Once you arrive at the snowbank-surrounded lake, look for a small abandoned fishing cabin situated right on the shore. Head inside the structure and thoroughly search the dark corners for an old lockbox tucked underneath the wooden bedframe. Opening this container rewards you with the first Poisonous Trail document, which triggers the next phase of the investigation.
Deciphering the Sketch and Landmark Clues
Examining the piece of parchment in your satchel reveals a hand-drawn illustration depicting a very distinctive geographical landscape feature. The drawing showcases a pair of rock formations that resemble a large face and a stone window looking out over the wilderness. This hidden location serves as the destination where the actual treasure chest is buried.
Veteran outlaws will recognize these natural formations as Face Rock, situated north of Rhodes in the Lemoyne territory. Traveling to this area allows you to line up the environmental structures exactly as they appear in the original illustration. Using your binoculars from a distance can help identify the precise spot marked on the map.
Locating the Buried Treasure at Face Rock
After navigating to the base of the massive stone structures, you need to climb the grassy hill nearby to reach the upper ledge. Walk past the main rock face and look for a decaying tree trunk resting against the edge of the slope. Exploring the hollow center of this fallen tree reveals a prompt allowing you to dig up the second map.
Retrieving this document completes the first major phase of your overarching frontier tracking journey. Collecting these rewards boosts your overall explorer challenge progression and prepares you for the next difficult steps. With the next map safely in your inventory, you can begin planning your journey toward the final hidden stash.