The rugged, picturesque landscapes of Colorado hold many secrets, but few are as captivating and enduring as the legend of the Purgatory Canyon treasure. Tales of lost Spanish gold, ancient expeditions, and mysterious disappearances have woven a rich tapestry around the Rio de Las Animas Perdidas en Purgatoir, or “The River of Lost Souls in Purgatory,” a name that itself whispers of tragic fates and hidden riches. For centuries, this enigmatic canyon has enticed adventurers and fortune-seekers, promising immense wealth to those brave and fortunate enough to uncover its deeply buried secrets. The allure of the Purgatory Canyon treasure continues to spark imaginations, drawing explorers into its treacherous depths with the promise of historical discovery and unparalleled fortune.
The Ill-Fated Humana and Bonilla Expedition: A Trail of Tragedy
The story of the Purgatory Canyon’s dark legends begins as early as 1539, with the unauthorized Humana and Bonilla expedition. This daring venture, which pushed the boundaries of known exploration into what is now Colorado, was led by a Portuguese don, with a Spaniard serving as his second-in-command. The company was diverse, comprising priests, soldiers, and miners, all driven by the quest for new territories and potential riches. However, the expedition was plagued by internal strife from its inception. The Spaniard harbored deep resentment and jealousy towards his Portuguese leader. This animosity festered, eventually erupting in a violent act where the Spaniard murdered the Portuguese don, seizing control of the expedition.
This heinous act immediately fractured the group. The priests, appalled by the “evil leader” and the unholy turn of events, steadfastly refused to proceed further into the unknown. They made the difficult decision to turn back, retreating towards the relative safety of Mexico, unwilling to follow a commander tainted by such a crime. The remaining members, however, pushed onward into the rugged Colorado wilderness. Their journey, unfortunately, was short-lived and met with a grim end. They were ambushed and annihilated by Apache Indians, leaving no survivors and marking the first of many tragic tales associated with this foreboding region. This early history established a somber precedent for the challenges and dangers inherent in exploring these untamed lands.
Coronado’s Grand Search and Empty Hands
More than a year after the Humana and Bonilla disaster, the legendary explorer Francisco Vazquez de Coronado ventured into the same vast region. Coronado’s expedition, a much larger and officially sanctioned undertaking, was fueled by the compelling rumors of the mythical Gran Quivira, the fabled seven cities of gold. His grand search led him across immense stretches of what would become the American Southwest, a journey marked by both hope and hardship. Coronado’s relentless pursuit of these legendary golden cities brought him into the vicinity of the Purgatory River, an area already imbued with tales of misfortune and lost lives.
Despite his extensive efforts and the significant resources poured into his expedition, Coronado’s quest ultimately proved to be an exercise in frustration. He explored tirelessly, confronting the vastness and challenges of the wilderness, but the elusive golden cities remained just beyond his grasp. When he finally returned, he did so empty-handed, his grand ambitions unfulfilled. Coronado’s failure to discover Gran Quivira, even with his substantial resources and determination, only deepened the mystique of the region. It suggested that any treasures held within these lands were not easily found and perhaps guarded by forces beyond human comprehension, reinforcing the elusive nature of the riches hidden within Purgatory Canyon.
The Vanished Spanish Payroll: The Heart of the Purgatory Canyon Treasure Legend
The most compelling and widely circulated legend of the Purgatory Canyon treasure dates back to the 1700s. During this period, the Spanish Empire was active in the Americas, and vast sums of wealth were routinely transported across its territories. One such shipment involved twelve heavily laden chests of Spanish gold coins, intended to cover payroll and garrison expenses. This invaluable cargo was being moved from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to St. Augustine, Florida. Logically, a direct southerly route would have been the most efficient and safest path. However, for reasons that remain a subject of historical debate and speculation, the regiment tasked with this critical escort, led by a man named Carrasco Rodriguez, chose an inexplicable route that took them north through the rugged terrain of Colorado.
As winter descended upon the high plains, Rodriguez’s caravan found itself entrapped by harsh weather conditions somewhere near what is now Trinidad, Colorado. Forced to halt their progress, they endured a long, arduous winter, undoubtedly suffering from the cold, limited supplies, and the constant threat of the wilderness. When spring finally arrived, offering a chance for renewed movement, Rodriguez made another inexplicable decision, leading his caravan in yet another wrong direction. From that point onward, no further word was ever heard from Carrasco Rodriguez or his regiment. The twelve chests of gold, and the men transporting them, vanished without a trace, giving birth to the most enduring legend of lost treasure in the region.
Theories of the Lost Gold
Several theories attempt to explain the disappearance of Rodriguez’s expedition and the invaluable gold. One popular notion suggests that the Spaniards, realizing their perilous situation or perhaps under attack, buried the chests of gold along the banks of the Purgatory River, hoping to retrieve them later. However, a more prevalent and often cited theory posits that the regiment was ambushed and overwhelmed by local Indian tribes. According to this theory, the attackers, primarily interested in weapons, tools, clothing, and animals, would have had little use for the heavy gold coins. They would likely have discarded the chests into a nearby cave or a deep ravine, leaving the treasure for time and nature to conceal.
This latter theory gains significant credibility from historical findings. In 1924, a remarkable discovery was made along the banks of the Purgatory River: a suit of Spanish armor, providing tangible evidence of a European presence and potential conflict. Even more compelling was the finding of a skeleton and an ancient firearm in a cave located east of the Willow-Vogel Canyon junction in the same year. These discoveries strongly suggest that a confrontation did occur and that some members of a Spanish expedition met a violent end, with their possessions scattered and lost in the rugged landscape. These artifacts fuel the belief that the vast wealth of the Purgatory Canyon treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found by a persistent seeker.
Whispers of Discovery: Nuggets, Coins, and a Tragic End
Over the centuries, the legend of the Purgatory Canyon gold has been kept alive by numerous accounts of small discoveries that hint at the larger, lost treasure. Local tales describe isolated findings of a few gold nuggets and scattered Spanish gold coins along the various trails winding through Purgatory Canyon. These tantalizing glimpses of wealth have only served to intensify the hunt and the belief that a greater hoard lies concealed within the canyon’s depths. The occasional discovery fuels the imagination and offers hope to those who dare to dream of striking it rich in this historic land.
One particularly poignant story, also circulating around 1924, recounts the finding of a small, iron-bound chest. This chest, discovered within a secluded cave in Purgatory Canyon, contained a handful of thick Spanish gold coins. Alongside the coins, an old piece of a harness was found, adorned with exquisitely carved, ornate silver trimmings – artifacts clearly belonging to a Spanish cavalry or transport. The man credited with this discovery, his heart undoubtedly pounding with excitement, drove his knife into a tree just outside the cave entrance. This act served as a marker, a confident declaration that he was on the verge of uncovering the grand prize: the full twelve chests of lost Spanish gold coins.
However, fate, as it often does in these legends, took a cruel turn. While attempting to depart from the cave area, the fortunate finder suffered a terrible fall, resulting in a badly broken leg. Incapacitated and stranded, he lay there for two agonizing days and nights, battling exposure and excruciating pain. In his highly weakened state, he was eventually discovered by a compassionate couple. He shared his incredible tale of discovery and his certainty that the vast treasure lay within reach, perhaps hoping they could help him or at least continue his quest. Tragically, despite their efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries and exposure, taking the exact location of his find – and perhaps the key to the entire Purgatory Canyon treasure – with him to his grave. His story serves as a stark reminder of the perils that accompany the pursuit of such fabled riches, leaving behind an even deeper layer of mystery and sorrow.
Conclusion: The Enduring Allure of Lost Gold
The saga of the Purgatory Canyon treasure is a compelling blend of historical fact, harrowing expeditions, and tantalizing mystery. From the ill-fated Humana and Bonilla venture to Coronado’s fruitless search for Gran Quivira, and most notably, the vanishing of Carrasco Rodriguez’s gold-laden regiment, the region has consistently proven itself a crucible of dreams and disappointments. The Purgatory River, with its evocative name and rugged beauty, continues to guard its secrets fiercely, offering only tantalizing whispers and fleeting glimpses of its hidden wealth. Whether the twelve chests of Spanish gold coins lie buried beneath the riverbanks, scattered within forgotten caves, or simply lost to the ravages of time and conflict, their legend persists.
The allure of unearthing this historical fortune remains a powerful draw, captivating historians, amateur archaeologists, and treasure hunters alike. Each shard of Spanish armor, every old firearm, and every gold coin found reinforces the possibility that the grand Purgatory Canyon treasure is still out there, waiting for the right moment and the right individual to uncover it. The tales serve not just as stories of lost wealth, but as profound reminders of the harsh realities faced by early explorers and the enduring spirit of adventure that continues to define the quest for the unknown. Until the day the treasure is finally brought to light, the legends of the Purgatory River will continue to echo through its canyons, a timeless testament to human ambition and the eternal mystique of hidden riches.
