In a tale that echoes legends of hidden treasures and forgotten fortunes, a treasure hunter named Gary Holt asserts that he has discovered the legendary Lost Josephine Mine in the mountains of northeastern Utah.

The mine, first documented by Spanish Jesuit priests in 1650, is believed to be a $1.7 billion gold bonanza that has remained dormant for over three centuries.

Holt, accompanied by his son Brandon, claims to have located the Josephine de Martinque mine on Hoyt’s Peak in the Uinta Mountains. However, the U.S. Forest Service remains skeptical, suggesting that the cavern the Holts believe to be the mine is likely a natural formation without gold deposits.

The Lost Josephine Mine, reputed to be the richest gold mine in the world, was abandoned by the Spanish in 1680 during the Pueblo Revolt when they were expelled from their claims in New Mexico. The exact location of the mine was lost over time, turning it into a tantalizing mystery for treasure hunters.

While Gary Holt is convinced that the mine could yield a $1.7 billion gold treasure, the Forest Service disputes his claims, stating that the mine is a mere fairy tale. Officials argue that the treasure hunters are damaging a natural cave and destroying formations that have existed for millions of years in their quest for riches.

Holt, undeterred by skepticism, has obtained a mining permit and claims to have extracted calcite crystals worth millions of dollars from the cavern, marketing them as “Goldite.” Although no gold has been found yet, Holt remains optimistic about the active development of his search for the elusive treasure.

The Lost Josephine Mine continues to capture the imagination of adventurers, sparking debates between those who see it as a genuine gold mine and others who dismiss it as a fantastical tale.

As the saga unfolds, the hunt for hidden treasures in the Uinta Mountains adds another chapter to the enduring allure of lost riches and the mysteries of the past.