​Clues to a hidden treasure

Art and antique dealer Forrest Fenn, 84, made a career out of collecting treasures. And now he's started thousands on a hunt for a treasure he's carefully hidden somewhere out west.

The idea of a treasure hunt started after a bout with cancer: "I said, 'I've had so much fun collecting all of these things. Why not let somebody else have the same opportunity that I've had?'" he told correspondent Barry Petersen.

He drove out across the Rockies and left the chest.

"There's 265 gold coins, eagles and American double eagles," he said of the chest's contents. "And there's hundreds and hundreds of gold nuggets. You're gonna be amazed at what you find.

He wrote a poem with nine clues placing the treasure somewhere in the Rockies in one of four states -- Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, or New Mexico. [You can hear Fenn read the poem in the video at left.]

Here is the text:

As I have gone alone in there
And with my treasures bold,
I can keep my secret where,
And hint of riches new and old.

Begin it where warm waters halt
And take it in the canyon down,
Not far, but too far to walk.
Put in below the home of Brown.

From there it's no place for the meek,
The end is ever drawing nigh;
There'll be no paddle up your creek,
Just heavy loads and water high.

If you've been wise and found the blaze,
Look quickly down, your quest to cease,
But tarry scant with marvel gaze,
Just take the chest and go in peace.

So why is it that I must go
And leave my trove for all to seek?
The answers I already know,
I've done it tired, and now I'm weak.

So hear me all and listen good,
Your effort will be worth the cold.
If you are brave and in the wood
I give you title to the gold.

Don't miss Barry Petersen's interview with Forrest Fenn on CBS' "Sunday Morning," July 12.