Submitted by Johannes on Wed, 07/16/2025 - 4:26 PM

The Great Twin Cities Treasure Hunt

July 22-August 10, 2025

Current prize pot: $225

Registration closes with the publication of the second clue.

Solve the Clues!
A new clue will be posted at TCTreasure.com at 9:00am every other day from the first day of the hunt to the last—or until the treasure has been claimed (whichever occurs first).

Find the Treasure!
Search for the official TC Treasure jewel within the eleven-county Twin Cities metro area.
Don't be a dummy. Don't break the law.

Claim the Prize!
The treasure is hidden with instructions to report the find and claim the prize.
Only registered hunters are eligible to claim the full prize pot.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Individuals under the age of 18 must have the permission of a parent or legal guardian to participate in the hunt. The parent or guardian who claims a prize on behalf of a child must be a registered hunter. All participants agree that TC Treasure LLC and its affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, advertising representatives and agents will have no liability whatsoever, and will be held harmless by participants for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of prize(s) or participation in this contest. The hunt's organizers may discontinue the hunt at any time if nature or property is destroyed by hunters, or for any reason that threatens the safety or wellbeing of hunters or hunt organizers. Except where legally prohibited, by accepting a prize, winners grant permission for TC Treasure LLC, its partners, and those acting under its authority to use their name, photograph, voice and/or likeness for advertising and/or publicity without compensation. No purchase is necessary to win. Contest rules and conditions are subject to change. All contest decisions are final. Questions regarding official rules and conditions should be directed to hello@tctreasure.com. Employees and immediate family members of TC Treasure LLC, its affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, organizers, and contest partners are not eligible. Failure to comply with these rules and conditions may result in disqualification and/or loss of prize eligibility.

All rules subject to change.

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Find Date

Sunday, August 10, 2025

Finders

Name

Ed Brodie

Name

Matt Littlefield

Name

Mike Nowak

Name

Coldest Hunter

Name

Skylar Sanftner

Prize

Maximum Prize

$150

Location

General Location

Reservoir Woods Park, Roseville, MN

Pinpointed Location

In the "hollow" West of Dale Street, Below the Overlook

Concealer

At the bast of a fallen tree

45.0000103, -93.1280354

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 5:00 PM

WHEREAS, the time has finally come
And now the deed is done...
WHEREAS, the clues already penned,
So let us start the fun...

WHEREAS, communities like ours
Are valuable and rare;
WHEREAS, we have collected
For the hundredth such affair

WHEREAS, the cache has been concealed,
The treasure has been put,
WHEREAS, let the games begin—
The hunt, at last, afoot...

NOW, THEREFORE, the Mayor
Has proclaimed this hunt under way—
So best of luck, and have a happy
TC Treasure Day!

The official meaning of the clue.

commemorates TC Treasure Day and instructs hunters to search an area named for a Saint Paul mayor—in this case Alexander Ramsey (and Ramsey County).

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Thursday, July 24, 2025, 9:00 AM

To narrow your search to a point,
Just follow this simple rule:
Separate the wheat from the chaff
By using an ancient tool.

The official meaning of the clue.

instructs hunters to “narrow [their] search” for an “ancient tool” used to “separate the wheat from the chaff.” Rather than a flail, basket, or other traditional winnowing tool, this clue is meant to suggest defunct web search engine AltaVista.com, and in turn, Alta Vista Drive, which leads to the main entrance for Reservoir Woods Park in Roseville.

Clue Rating

Clue 3``

Published Date

Saturday, July 26, 2025, 9:00 AM

Of six still-standing pioneers,
Just three may boast the bounty;
Rally the troops—first to the front—
And you'll be in the right county.

The official meaning of the clue.

is meant to suggest searching in one of the “six still-standing” original Minnesota counties—specifically the three in our search area. The remainder of the clue zeroes in on Ramsey County, which is named for Alexander Ramsey—the first territorial governor of Minnesota who famously volunteered the Minnesota First infantry regiment to the front lines at Gettysburg in 1861.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Monday, July 28, 2025, 9:00 AM

Water, water, everywhere—
And not a drop to drink;
It's like rain on your wedding day:
Ironic—don't ya think?

The official meaning of the clue.

is meant to suggest the “Ironic” nature of Reservoir Woods Park—which holds millions of gallons of drinking water, but no drinking fountains. The park also contains signage with the words “Water, water everywhere.”

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 9:00 AM

Pacing through the placid park
To scout the spot to search,
Tick off tenths and work your way
Around the bowl of birch.

The official meaning of the clue.

is meant to suggest searching for a park devoted to still water—while avoiding the abandoned stone reservoir full of birch (or perhaps Aspen?) trees in its southwestern corner. Within Reservoir Woods, signs demarcate the primary trail every tenth of a mile. Roseville Cub Scout Troop #297 is responsible for stewardship of Reservoir Woods Park as part of the city’s “Adopt-A-Park” program.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Friday, August 1, 2025, 9:00 AM

Pursue a path to a stone on the sly;
We want to take you higher—
From oaken plain to wetland marsh,
A hidden gem borne by the brier.

The official meaning of the clue.

is meant to suggest searching “the brier”—or Roseville—on high ground for a park containing both oak savanna and wetlands; a bench at Reservoir Woods Park reads “THEY CELEBRATE LIFE — Sandra Born and Briar.”

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Published Date

Sunday, August 3, 2025, 9:00 AM

An altogether uncommon wit
Lay down to rest on the lawn;
He hadn't slept for ten days—
Because that would be too long.

The official meaning of the clue.

references Minnesota comedian Mitch Hedberg (who is buried at Roselawn Cemetery, adjacent to Reservoir Woods Park), his album “All Together,” and one of his jokes.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Published Date

Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 9:00 AM

Crawl along the forest floor
With spiders, ants, and beetles;
On two legs, four, six, eight, or more,
Approach on pins and needles.

The official meaning of the clue.

narrows the search area to the hardwood pine/oak forest area of Reservoir Woods and reinforces the jewel’s hiding spot on the ground.

Clue Rating

Clue 9

Published Date

Thursday, August 7, 2025, 9:00 AM

Over hill and under dale—
Into the red pine woods;
'Round the bend, a lucky charm
Embraces the grounded goods.

Peering over the evergreen glen,
Shield your eyes from the sun;
Lenses of a pinkish hue
Ought to get the job done.

The official meaning of the clue.

further narrows the search area to a horseshoe-shaped section of trail near the park’s forest pier overlook.

Clue Rating

Clue 10

Published Date

Saturday, August 9, 2025, 9:00 AM

Off to the village of Roses—
Head for the high water mark;
Scoop up the satchel of victory
At Reservoir Woods Park!

From Alta Vista Drive embark,
And, past the Briar-Born seat,
Make your way into the forest—
Pine needles under your feet!

Descending from the overlook
To the bottom of the hollow,
There you’ll find the treasure trail—
The primrose path to follow! 

Twenty or thirty paces away,
At the foot of a fallen tree,
Find our 100th treasure cache—
The vaunted Great TC!

The official meaning of the clue.

points hunters to the spot, about 25 paces from trail’s edge, roughly in line with the forest glen.

Clue Rating

2025 Great TC Treasure Hunt

The Great Twin Cities Treasure Hunt

45.0000103, -93.1280354