YEAR: 2020

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: July

DATE: Late July

STATE: New Mexico

COUNTY: Rio Arriba County

LOCATION DETAILS: This is probably not accessible now- we were able to walk back to the area due to everything closed by COVID. Parked at the rail yard, crossed tracks and walked through the salvage yard area (unused railway equipment). Followed path to Chama river, crossed at a rocky ford. Continued on the path along the river approximately a quarter mile.

NEAREST TOWN: Chama

NEAREST ROAD: 84

OBSERVED: Summer of 2020 (quarantine year), in late July, I was hiking with a friend along Rio Chama. Although we were just on the other side of the river from town, the railroad was not running, the campground was closed, and the majority of the town was empty.

This was a short day hike as we are seniors. We had a dog accompanying us (pit bull mix) for part of the way. Before we reached the river we had to return the dog to the car- she became unusually excitable and fearful. Note: my friend and the dog live up on the mountain, the dog is used to wildlife and has treed a bear before.

Anyway, windows down and dog much happier, we returned to our walk. We had crossed the river and was on the trail that runs by the bank when we heard a series of hollow knocking sounds. These were loud and resonate, not woodpeckers or falling branches. A short time later they were repeated at a distance- the knocks sounded lighter in tone, like a hit on a more solid wood. The knocks close to us responded- and we decided that it was in our best interest to leave the area.

ALSO NOTICED: Dog exhibiting unusual behavior. Lack of deer scat (deer are everywhere here-)

OTHER WITNESSES: One,my hiking companion.

OTHER STORIES: No, I didn’t know what this could of been, happened to mention it later and was told they were possible wood knocks.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Morning, approximately 8-.9 am. Day was cool, bright, no wind

ENVIRONMENT: Cottonwood trees, some Gramble oaks, scrub brush but not dense. River was low.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Matthew Moneymaker:

There have been rumors of Sasquatch incidents in the vicinity of Chama for many years.

About BFRO Investigator Matthew Moneymaker:

Matthew Moneymaker is originally from the Los Feliz District of Los Angeles, California.

- Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

- Juris Doctorate (Law degree) from University of Akron School of Law

- Founder of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization,1995.

- Writer and co-producer of the Discovery Channel documentary "Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science", 2001.

- Co-producer of the TV Series "Mysterious Encounters" for the Outdoor Life Network (OLN Channel), 2002.

- Producer of the "2003 International Bigfoot Symposium" (Willow Creek Symposium) DVD set, 2004.

- Co-host of "Finding Bigfoot" on Animal Planet Channel, 2010 - 2017.

- Current Director of the BFRO

- Available for private bigfoot expeditions and conferences. To inquire please email ContactUS@BFRO.net