Red Dead Redemption 2 offers players countless side activities, but few are as financially rewarding as tracking down hidden treasure stashes. The High Stakes Treasure quest is one of the most famous hunts in the game, leading Arthur Morgan across treacherous cliffs and icy landscapes. Unlocking this multi-step mystery requires deciphering subtle visual sketches and navigating challenging terrain.
Acquiring the Initial Map Encounter
To begin this quest line, players must encounter a specific old treasure hunter muttering to himself in the wild. He frequently spawns in random spots around New Hanover and West Elizabeth, particularly along the cliffs near Cumberland Falls. Stealing or looting the map from him after three attempts to purchase it triggers the start of your search.
Keeping up with daily gaming news often reveals how players optimize their playthroughs by completing these hunts early in Chapter 2 or 3. Securing the first piece of the puzzle immediately sets off a trail of clues pointing toward your next destination.
Finding Map Two and Map Three
The first sketch points toward Cumberland Falls, where players must venture directly behind the rushing water. Clambering up a narrow ledge inside a hidden cave niche unveils the second map. This clue immediately redirects your search far north into the snowy wilderness.
Your next target is Barrow Lagoon, a frozen lake located in the West Grizzlies region. Crossing a fallen log that serves as a natural bridge reveals the third map tucked neatly into a small hole within the log's trunk.
Locating the Final High Stakes Treasure
The third map points directly toward the rocky cliffs southwest of Bacchus Station. Traversing this area demands extreme care, as a single missed step along the narrow mountain ledges can result in a fatal fall. Players need to carefully drop down multiple cliff faces and crouch beneath a low overhang to reach the hidden alcove.
Upon reaching the end of the dangerous path, searching the rocky wall rewards you with three valuable Gold Bars. Cashing these in at any fence nets a cool $1,500, making the perilous journey well worth the effort.