The Red Dead Redemption 2 Poisonous Trail Treasure Hunt is one of the most difficult treasure hunts in the video game developed by Rockstar Studios for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
What makes the Poisonous Trail Treasure Hunt so difficult is the fact that nobody will tell you about it or even mention it.
This Treasure Hunt was designed for players who like to fully explore the world of Red Dead Redemption II.
Even if you are not one of them, it doesn’t mean you can’t complete the RDR2 Poisonous Trail Treasure Hunt especially because our guide below explains how to start it, and obviously how to finish it.
As a reward for completing it, you’ll receive 4 Gold Bars which can be sold for a total of $2.000. This treasure hunt, just like the Jack Hall Gang and Le Tresor Des Morts Treasure Hunts can be played starting Chapter 2 of the video game.
On our map below you can see the locations that must be visited in order to discover the Poisonous Trail Treasure in RDR2.
Ready cowboy? Let’s ride then.
Description:
“A map is discovered inside a small chest nestled under the bed in an old shack near Cairn Lake.”
Mission Requirements:
- Complete Eastward Bound
Rewards:
- Gold Bars X 4
Preparation:
Before you even begin the Poisonous Trail Treasure Hunt, stock up on all essential items – Health Cures, Food for both Arthur and his horse, and perhaps most importantly, arm yourself well.
Encounters with predators or hostile individuals are not uncommon in the wild expanses of the game world.
Equally important is a good horse with a sturdy saddle that can handle the long treks you’re about to undertake.
A well-rested Arthur is also advisable, so ensure you’ve taken enough rest before setting out on the hunt.
Walkthrough:
The first location marked on our map is Cairn Lake, south of Colter. You should remember Colter because it was the place where Dutch’s gang fled at the beginning of the game.
As you traverse through this path, keep a keen eye on the surroundings, and don’t forget to regularly use the Eagle Eye feature.
This feature becomes particularly useful when you’re searching for a hole in a tree or a pile of rocks as it highlights objects you can interact with.
Visit the frozen lake, and look for a wooden shack, like the one in the picture below.
Here’s a tip before you proceed further. The Poisonous Trail maps are not exactly easy to decipher, but they give all the clues you need.
Take your time with each one, study the shapes, and relate them to the geographical features in your in-game map.
It might seem complicated initially, but as you connect the dots, the locations will start making sense.
As you enter the cabin, turn right and look under the bed to spot a hidden lock box. This is one of the many RDR2 hidden lockboxes featured in the video game. Open it to find The Poisonous Trail Map 1.
Easy right? Now, open the first Red Dead Redemption 2 Poisonous Trail Map and take a look at it. The drawing is similar to the one below.
The location on the first Poisonous Trail Map is known as the Face Rock. You can find it easily in Scarlett Meadows; west of Ringneck Creek. You can see it marked on our custom RDR2 map by 2.
Make haste Arthur and look for the large rock (pictured below) which resembles the face of a man. Now, while standing in front of it, on the right you will see a tree trunk. Notice that Arthur is aiming at it.
Just behind this specific dead tree is another trunk, visibly smaller. Go around it, and notice the hole in it. Slip your hand inside and pick The Poisonous Trail Map 2.
Awesome job! Let’s open the second Poisonous Trail Map and see where it leads. Looks like the drawing shows a snake.
This location is also easy to find because it is a point of interest. It is known as the Serpent Mound, and you’ll find it southwest of Van Horn. Let’s go, cowboy!
When you reach the third location on our map, look for a hill where you can see an unusual form made of grass. If you look closer you can notice that it resembles a snake. All you have to do is to find the snake’s head and in the middle, you will see another hole.
Search it to retrieve The Poisonous Trail Map 3.
The third Red Dead Redemption 2 Poisonous Trail Map reveals the location of the treasure. Which is right behind the Elysian Pool.
Before entering the cave behind the Elysian Pool (marked by 4 on our map), make sure you equip your lantern.
Exploring the cave behind the Elysian Pool can be quite a challenge.
There’s a little-known glitch within this game, the walls inside the Elysian Pool cave can sometimes become invisible, and unwary explorers can fall into the abyss.
To circumvent this, I suggest saving the game before entering the cave, and if you encounter the glitch, simply reload the save.
Now head inside and cross the first tunnel. When you exit you will see a gap like the one below.
Jump inside and crouch, looking for a smaller tunnel (also pictured).
Cross this tunnel and when you exit, follow the path to your right. Keep moving forward and eventually, you’ll reach another gap. Take a left turn and move slowly to notice a platform below you.
Here, you must be quite careful because if you miss the jump you’ll die.
Run and jump on the lower platform. Now, slide down through the next hole to reach a dead end. Investigate it to find a pile of rocks (see below).
Search the area while standing near these rocks to find the Poisonous Trail Treasure in Red Dead Redemption 2. Now that you found the treasure, exit the cave by retracing your steps, up the ramp you used to slide. Use the right side then when you reach the top, check the corner of the wall to spot a small ledge you can climb.
From here, if you climb another ledge you’ll end up in a tunnel. Follow the right corridor and keep moving forward to enter the hole in the wall. Once you exit, continue to move up and you’ll see the exit in front of you.
If you enjoyed this treasure hunt and want to play another one, focus on reaching Chapter 3 in order to be able to start the High Stakes Treasure Hunt.
But let’s pause here for a moment and ponder – four Gold Bars that sell for $2000, isn’t it a hefty sum? It is. However, the real question is – is the effort and time you put into finding these treasures worth it?
In my humble opinion, yes. Not just for the monetary reward, but for the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction it brings when you finally lay your hands on those shiny gold bars.
Alternatively, you can try solving the Strange Statues Puzzle, which is one of the hardest Activities in the game.
Conclusion
Always remember, treasure hunts like the Poisonous Trail aren’t just about the reward, they’re about the thrill of the hunt, the immersion in the game’s world, and the satisfaction of solving a complex puzzle.
And who knows? The skills you develop in-game might come handy in real life too – paying close attention to detail, reading between the lines, problem-solving under pressure, and resource management are all valuable skills in real-life scenarios.
Approach Red Dead Redemption 2 as more than a game, as a microcosm of life, presenting complex problems and difficult decisions, and you’ll find immense enjoyment in every task you undertake, not just the treasure hunts. Happy gaming!
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