Fan Theories of Mount Chiliad in GTA Series

Beyond the Fence: Deciphering the Mysteries of Mount Chiliad in GTA San Andreas and GTA V

For over a decade, the towering peak of Mount Chiliad has stood as more than just the highest point in the fictional state of San Andreas. In the world of Grand Theft Auto, it is a beacon for conspiracy theorists, a canvas of cryptic symbols, and the epicenter of the most enduring mystery in modern gaming history. From the dusty trails of the PS2 classic GTA: San Andreas to the hyper-detailed landscapes of Grand Theft Auto V, the mountain has whispered secrets to those willing to listen. While many have dedicated countless hours to uncovering its truths, the journey has produced a fascinating tapestry of theories. This is a look at some of the most compelling fan theories and conspiracy theories about Mount Chiliad, presented without revealing the ultimate answers.

Note: This is only fan conspirated theories, not neccessary the real, official story. For the newbie, it is not advisable to read this page, but get a lot of experience with the games first.

See also : Fan Theories of Grand Theft Auto Universe, Beginner’s Guide to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

I. The Seed on the Peak: Echoes from San Andreas

Before the mural and the UFOs of GTA V, Mount Chiliad was already shrouded in mystery. In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the mountain was a remote, rugged location, and it was here that the community’s appetite for conspiracy was first whetted.

• The Bigfoot Hunt: The dense forests surrounding Mount Chiliad in the 2004 classic became the primary hunting ground for legions of players convinced that Bigfoot was hiding among the trees. Grainy screenshots and elaborate forum posts fueled the belief that by following specific, unmarked trails or listening for distant howls, one could encounter the mythical creature. This theory became so pervasive that it turned into one of gaming’s most famous wild goose chases, a testament to Rockstar’s ability to create a world players felt was teeming with hidden life .
• The Truth’s Jetpack Connection: A more grounded, yet equally tantalizing, theory from the San Andreas era connected Mount Chiliad to the game’s protagonist, CJ, and his eccentric friend, The Truth. Given that players could find a functional jetpack in the restricted Area 69 in the desert, some theorists believed Mount Chiliad held a clue to a second, more powerful jetpack or even an alien craft. They pointed to the mountain’s remote location and its resemblance to a “prime UFO watching spot” as evidence that Rockstar had intended it to be a hub for paranormal activity, planting the seeds for the grander mysteries to come .

II. The All-Seeing Eye: Deconstructing the GTA V Mural

With the release of Grand Theft Auto V, the mystery of Mount Chiliad was reborn. Inside the cable car station at the summit, a sprawling mural became the new Rosetta Stone for the game’s lore. The mural, featuring a mountain peak, strange glyphs, and icons like a UFO, a jetpack, and a cracked egg, has been scrutinized like no other piece of video game art.

• The Narrative Path Theory: One of the earliest and most popular theories suggested the mural was not a map of the physical world, but of the game’s storyline. In this interpretation, the three large symbols at the bottom—the UFO, jetpack, and egg—were said to represent the game’s three protagonists: Michael, Trevor, and Franklin. The intersecting lines were seen as the branching paths of the story, leading to the potential endings of the game, with the “eye” at the top symbolizing the final, truth-revealing conclusion. This theory captivated players who saw the game’s narrative as the ultimate puzzle to be solved .
• The Illuminati and the All-Seeing Eye: The presence of an eye-like symbol at the top of the mural immediately triggered comparisons to the Eye of Providence, commonly associated with the Illuminati. This theory posits that the entire mystery is a commentary on government control and secret societies. The murals, the glyphs scattered on the mountain, and even the behavior of NPCs were all seen as breadcrumbs leading to a revelation about the New World Order controlling San Andreas from the shadows. The idea that the government (the FIB) is the true alien force behind the UFOs feeds directly into this conspiratorial worldview .
• The 100% Completion Guide Theory: Perhaps the most direct interpretation of the mural is that it is simply a symbolic guide for what players can achieve at 100% game completion. In this view, the UFO icon represents the three flyable saucers that appear only after every mission, collectible, and activity is finished. The jetpack is not an item to be found, but a symbol representing the need to “fly high” to see these UFOs. The egg represents the player’s progression and the “hatching” of the final secret, while the X’s on the mural correspond to the exact locations of the rock carvings (glyphs) found around the mountain, which provide the conditions—like rain and a specific time—for the UFO sightings .
• The Chiliad Alien Egg: The cracked egg symbol on the mural fueled rampant speculation about a hidden, interactable alien egg somewhere in the state. Some theorists connected it to the Epsilon Program, the game’s fictional cult, whose teachings involve the world hatching from an egg. Others believed it was a direct link to the underwater hatch (a reference to the TV show Lost), suggesting that if players could find a way to open the hatch, they would discover the egg inside. The search for this egg became a holy grail for the most dedicated myth-hunters .
• The Underwater Hatch Connection: Discovered deep beneath the ocean surface, a mysterious, inaccessible hatch immediately drew comparisons to the hatch from the TV series Lost. A major theory connected this hatch directly to the Mount Chiliad mystery. Theorists believed that the mural’s lines and symbols were actually a map leading to the hatch’s precise coordinates and, more importantly, to a method of opening it. Some speculated that solving the Chiliad puzzle would trigger an event at the hatch, possibly revealing a new vehicle, a weapon, or the long-sought-after jetpack .
• The Hippy Camp Code: Near Sandy Shores, a bizarre hippy camp is filled with UFO crash sites, murals of alien abductions, and a massive, wooden “beam me up” structure. A popular theory suggests this camp is not just a random decoration but a key to deciphering the Mount Chiliad mural. Theorists argue that the camp’s art and symbols are a “codex” that, when correctly interpreted alongside the Chiliad glyphs, reveals the true nature of the government’s involvement with aliens. The fact that one of the 100% completion UFOs hovers directly above this camp lends significant weight to the idea that the two locations are intrinsically linked .
• The Chiliad Tunnel and the Jetpack Promise: The jetpack icon on the mural is arguably the most potent symbol, a direct nod to the beloved San Andreas vehicle. A persistent theory held that a secret tunnel system within Mount Chiliad itself would eventually lead to a functioning jetpack. Players spent years scouring the mountain’s base for a hidden, breakable wall or a specific trigger that would open a new passage. This theory was so strong that it became the default assumption for what the “reward” for solving the mystery would be, a promise of classic, unadulterated fun .
• The Altruist Cult Sacrifice Theory: The Altruist Camp, home to a group of murderous hermits, plays a unique role in GTA V. A dark theory proposes that the Mount Chiliad mystery cannot be solved without the involvement of this cult. The camp’s slogan, “We forgive the world for what it has done to us… but we never forget,” and the murals painted on their walls, are seen as clues. Some players believe that delivering specific “hitchhikers” (side-quest characters) to the camp as sacrifices is a necessary step to unlocking the mountain’s secrets, suggesting that the Altruists are the guardians or the key to the entire conspiracy .
• The GTA Online Foreshadowing: As GTA Online expanded, some theorists began to see its content as the ultimate payoff for the Mount Chiliad mystery. They pointed to the “Doomsday Heist” update, which features secret facilities, alien weaponry, and a narrative deeply entwined with government conspiracies. The theory suggests that the original Mount Chiliad mural in the single-player game was actually foreshadowing events that would only be fully realized in the online world years later, acting as a massive, multi-year puzzle box designed by Rockstar .