Sasquatch Chronicles Blog

A listener writes “In late July of 2021 my family and I reserved an a frame cabin in Fish Camp near the entrance of Yosemite national park.

Our trip had been relaxing and we were in awe of how beautiful the park was. So incredibly gorgeous it didn’t even look real at times. My parents had left one day early so we had the whole last day to ourselves, but our last pass to enter the park had expired the day before.

We still wanted to hike, but my husband wanted something a little off the beaten path. We checked out our surroundings on google maps and discovered that there was a primitive campsite with trails that led into the back end of the park up a dirt road behind the cabin. We packed a few light snacks and our camel packs and set off for a wonderful day of hiking.

As soon as the car hit the dirt road I began to feel nervous. At this point I should mention that I was raised camping, hiking, and hunting with my father. The only other time I remember feeling something similar was when we were trailed by a cougar which we assumed was protecting cubs.

This was a stronger feeling though. I felt as if it was urgent that we turn back. I mentioned this to my husband but as he pointed out there was nowhere to turn around and everything was perfectly fine. He’s a former marine and also has extensive experience in the wilderness as well. His logic was that he would pick up on something if it was worth worrying about.

About halfway up to the campsite we spied a doe standing in the middle of the road with her two fawns. We stopped the car about 30 yards away from her and waited for her to jump off into the woods on either side. She didn’t. She and her young would lope a few hundred feet up the road and stop again. This continued on for miles. I took video and pictures of them for my kiddo to share with friends later.

This is odd behavior for a deer, let alone one with with younglings. Usually they will seek the shelter of trees almost immediately. I’d never seen this behavior before and to be honest it only contributed to my growing anxiety. I had assumed there was a bear nearby that was making her nervous. However, at one point she did dash into the forest and immediately dashed back out, only she was missing one of her fawns. After that she booked it up the road until she and her little one were out of sight.

We finally pulled into the campsite and proceeded to look around. I had my son, who had just turned 7 stay close as we surveyed the surrounding area. I noticed a couple of bear marks on trees and notified my husband who wasn’t overly concerned. I should say at this point that I was irrationally aggravated with myself; my anxiety was at a fever pitch and I really was looking forward to this and I felt that my irrational fears were on the brink of ruining our day.

My son and I sat on a fallen log while my husband continued to explore. At almost the same time my son and I heard a sound coming from the bushes to our left. What’s interesting is when my son was recalling what he had heard he described more of a whooping noise. To me is sounded like a bad imitation of a cross between a turkey call and the honking of a goose or duck quack.

For whatever reason the noise, though it was innocuous, triggered my protective instincts and I let my husband, who was standing near the car, know I was going over to check it out and I urged my son to get into the car.

I must have been standing about 8-10 feet away when I saw that what I thought an unusually dense area of shadow move. It must have been 9 feet tall, just gigantic. I froze on the spot and it started to make this awful chittering, almost chant-like noise and rock side to side. I’ve never been so terrified in my life. I couldn’t move, I could barely breathe and I’m honestly surprised I didn’t void my bowels. It was like what I imagine being hypnotized is like. I don’t know how to explain this but it felt like telepathy? My vision started to blur and I just remember using all my willpower to break eye contact with whatever this thing was and call out to my husband. I somehow managed to walk back a few steps and then fast walked to the car and we took off immediately. My husband had seen this thing over my shoulder and had the wherewithal to not panic and once we were all in the car proceeded to start the long slow drive down the dirt road.

We could hear branches breaking on both sides of the road for about two miles. I was sure we were going to be attacked. When we got back to the cabin I ran and locked myself inside the bathroom and started throwing up and became hysterical. It took over an hour for me to calm down.

I’ve heard of people having positive interactions with these things and had assumed that if I ever saw one it would be a positive experience. I have never felt such an air of malevolent evil energy in my life. I’ve never felt so outclassed by another creature either.

I know many people believe these things to be great apes, and so did I, but now I don’t know what they are. I don’t even think they’re of this planet honestly. I can’t explain what we experienced with any kind of logic. I don’t know how we made it out alive. I reported it to the park people; I’m sure they thought I was unhinged. I also contacted the BRFO and spoke to someone there that claimed these creatures are nonviolent and we most likely interrupted a hunt.

I guess what I’m looking for is some kind of logical explanation. I’ve loved the woods my whole life and now Im terrified of them. I can’t go hiking or camping in the wilderness alone anymore without jumping at every noise. What once gave me a sense of peace now gives me anxiety. We now only camp/hike in well populated sites and trails. I still have nightmares about once or twice a month.

My husband seems to think they’re territorial but generally nonviolent as well, citing that if it had wanted to kill us it could’ve have very easily. I just want to understand what these things are.

If you could point me to a place that had more information about these creatures or have any insight, I would appreciate it. Are there any people out there with encounters similar to mine? I’ve searched the internet, but all the sightings seem to differ so much with little consistency. I really need a rational place to file whatever this was in my brain.

My husband would love to take off grid family camping trips in the future and I don’t want my fears to be the reason my son doesn’t get to experience nature the way that both my husband and I have.”