Geographical Index > United States > California > Humboldt County > Report # 369
(Class B)
Submitted by witness on Tuesday, September 26, 2000.
Possible vocalizations heard by backcountry hikers in Redwoods National Park
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YEAR: 2000
SEASON: Summer MONTH: August DATE: 09/24/2000 STATE: California COUNTY: Humboldt County LOCATION DETAILS: [Editors' Note: Location details removed. We know this particular area well, but this report submission pre-dates any of our own experiences there. ] NEAREST TOWN: Between Eureka and Crecent city, Oregon NEAREST ROAD: 101 OBSERVED: My friend and I were backpacking in the Redwood National Park, north of Eureka, on [a particular trail in the National Park]. We started hiking at about 3 in the afternoon, and hiked for a few hours. Then we walked off the trail up into a small canyon for about half a mile and made camp. Found bear tracks, started to get worried, so we hung our food from a tree. About this time (7 o'clock) we heard the first scream. It was short, and didn't repeat. We started to get a little freaked out, so we started a fire, and heard nothing for the next 3 or 4 hours. Then at about 10:30 11:00 p.m. the screaming started again, this time lasting for about 10 minutes. It sounded like it was about half a mile away on one of the surrounding ridges, a very eerie wail. It didn't sound human. I know what elk, coyote, and wolf calls sound like, and this was nowhere near... very similar to recordings I have heard of supposed bigfoot calls. We went to bed at about 2 a.m., and left the next morning without incident. ALSO NOTICED: The forest seemed to rustle, lots of birds letting out warning calls, very odd feeling.... then the first scream happened.... and everything became extremely quiet--and stayed that way until the next day.. The hair on my neck is still standing up as i type this....... OTHER WITNESSES: 2---- we were just sitting around the campfire doing our camping thing. OTHER STORIES: Don't know any stories..... TIME AND CONDITIONS: 10:30 11:00 p.m... very clear cloudless night, no moon(that we could see)-extremely dark -mild temperature ENVIRONMENT: Redwood forest...... pine, ferns, very damp and mossy. Couldn't really see any landmarks, the forest is too dense.
Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator B Brewer:
In an online interview, the witness added the following details:
Each vocalization lasted about 3-5 seconds, and was similar to the Ohio Howl found on the BFRO website. The first vocalization was a short scream sound, nearby, which occured as they arrived at camp location and started to set up.
The howls began later, at an estimated 400-500 meters, and were reported to be rhythmic; repeating over and over again for possibly 5 minutes. On a second trip to the area, the same howling sound was heard, but at a greater distance; possibly more than a mile away. This series also repeated for about 5 minutes. Attempts to record the sound on the second trip failed due to inadequate recording equipment.
The initial scream was heard around 19:00, the howls began at 22:30. On the second trip, the howls began at about 23:00. Witness states that they thought only one animal was involved each time, as there was no other calls from any other direction in response to what they heard. When asked about wood knocks, the witness was not aware of the phenomenon, and stated that they possibly did hear wood knocks along with branches breaking or falling; but thought they were natural forest sounds.
Note: He also mentioned that the air was still and quiet at the time of the vocalizations.
About BFRO Investigator B Brewer:
Former student of Anthropolgy and Primatology as part of studies at the University of Oregon. Currently architectural designer/fabricator in CA. Active field researcher in Western states. Attended the following BFRO expeditions: California Redwoods - 2005; California Redwoods - 2006; California Sierra Nevadas - 2005: New Mexico 2005 ; Arizona Mogollon Rim - 2006 , Oregon / California Border Expedition in November 2006. Oregon 2007, Sierras 2008, 2009, Redwoods 2008, 2009, 2010, Bluff Creek 2011, 2012, Shasta 2012.
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