Geographical Index > United States > Washington > Jefferson County > Report # 12844
(Class B)
Submitted by witness on Wednesday, October 19, 2005.
Hiker photographs track on trail in Hoh River rainforest, on the Olympic Peninsula
(Show Printer-friendly Version)
YEAR: 2001
SEASON: Summer MONTH: August STATE: Washington COUNTY: Jefferson County NEAREST TOWN: Forks NEAREST ROAD: Hwy. 101 OBSERVED: I am submitting this is response to report #12098. In August 0f 2001, when my wife and I still lived in Florida, we made a trip out to WA and visited the Hoh rainforest. We hiked up a well-traveled trail--possibly the Spruce Trail--and came upon a footprint of which I still have a picture. It was a bare human-like footprint about 11-12 inches long. Given (a) the modest size of the footprint, (b) the popular nature of the trail and (c) the fact that there were many "hippy" types in the area, I assumed it was just a very casual hiker. But I took a picture anyway, with my boot for comparison.
Upon seeing the picture in report #12098, I dug out my picture and was struck by the similarity. Having lived in WA a few years now and having become better acquainted with what are purported to be genuine sasquatch footprints, I took note of the squared-off toes and the medially-leaning big toe. In the picture, just above the toe of my right boot, one can see a print I made, which barely sunk in at all compared to the print in question (though moisture levels may have varied).
I don't remember much about that day beyond the huge trees. The rest of that film roll is my wife posing beside big, buttressed trunks. There were other people on the trail that day, which, to me, made it unlikely that a sasquatch had been hanging out there, though I suppose the print could've been made at night. Given the traffic on the trail, however, I would've expected it to have been obliterated already. Perhaps other people were noticing it and stepping around it too. If I'm not mistaken, there was another less distinct track down (or up) the trail, but I can't be certain. I've never heard of bigfoot tracks on hiking trails, which was another reason I dismissed the track. Another possibility is a hoaxer, though you'd think they'd go for something more dramatic and attention-grabbing, like a 16 inch print.
The picture was on a normal camera, so I can't put it on the computer. Please let me know if you'd like me to send it in. If it is a genuine print, I'm wondering if it's the same individual from report #12098. OTHER WITNESSES: My wife, Patricia TIME AND CONDITIONS: Daytime...I believe early to mid afternoon. The sky was overcast. ENVIRONMENT: Hoh rainforest - main trail
Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Jim Von Lossow:
This photo is similar to another possible bigfoot track photo in the same area, although they were taken over 4 years apart.
After reading on the bfro.net website about this incident the witness found his old photo and sent it along to our database for investigation.
While conducting an interview of the witness here are a few additonal comments. Witness: "Just to clarify, the trail where I took the picture of the track in Auguist of 2001 wasn't the Spruce Trail [as indicated in the original report] but the nearby Hoh RiverTrail. There's a side trail to a riverside campsite after about a mile, and I'm pretty sure my wife and I found the print before coming to that fork. That was another reason I dismissed it, since the first mile of that trail has incredibly heavy use."
Link to 2005 Hoh River report with similar features:
Report #12098
The Hoh River Trail is 18 miles long and the Spruce Trail 1.5 miles long. Both originate at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center.
About BFRO Investigator Jim Von Lossow:
Small Business Owner
Special Interest in Field Sound Recording
Attended the Washington (Oly Pen -2) expedition.
jimvonlossow@yahoo.com
|
