I was determined to summit Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. I had made 2 previous attempts in 2001 and 2000 and on both attempts I was turned back at 13,000 ft. by weather.
I have always gone solo. On this day May 29th 2002 I left the Black Cloud Trailhead at 7:00am solo. I summited Mt. Elbert at 1:45pm. The weather was perfect and unseasonably warm. There must have been very little snow during the winter because there was very little snow left even at summit. I stayed on top for 10 minutes took pictures with my digital camera.
My sighting occurred around 3:30pm at approximately. 11,500 feet. I was decending and very tired.The trail is not very popular because of its steepness and because it’s very rugged in spots. I did not see anyone the whole day. I was traveling on the trail through the only level portion which is a high mountain plateau that lasts maybe 300 yards. The trail hugs an avalanche area to the left and to the right is a pine forest which is moderately dense.
As I was walking I heard a fairly high pitched but guttural cross between a scream and a growl. It must have been heard for miles. I froze in my tracks and unsnapped my holster. I scanned in the direction I thought it originated from but it’s hard to tell in the mountains because of echo. I looked to the right first into the forest and saw nothing, then slowly did a 360 scan and now I’m looking back to the forest. At 50 yards I spot the bigfoot. It is standing still facing me approx. 7 feet to 7 1/2 feet tall. I was wearing army camo and I think it had a hard time figuring me out for a few seconds. I was so scared and astonished at what I was looking at I could not move.Then suddenly it turned and ran with a huge stride and it was fast.
Its color was black and brown mixed and its fur or hair was thick and matted in spots. It ran like a man except with a slightly hunched upper back and a much bigger and more powerful gait. I lost sight of it in about 10 seconds after it began to run. At this point I pulled my pistol and immediately started cautiously down the trail. My heart was beating so hard I thought it was going to come out of my chest. I could actually hear it beating in my ears.I was no longer tired and the adrenaline was pumping. All the way down the trail I was doing looks over my shoulder and scanning everything. My camera was in my light backpack and I didn’t even think about it till I got back to the cabin I rented.
I know what I saw and nobody can take that away from me.
Ian C
First.
Scary encounter so far from help and alone
Bryan H
Sounds like it will make a great show
Frankie P
That’s awesome. Really liked this one. I think BF like to surprise/shock people – maybe as a defense/scare em off tactic.
David D
LOL! This reminds me of Joe Walsh-“Rocky Mountain Way”!
Gabriel H
This confirms Nathan’s information about them preferring an elevated, yet flat, position
Mike C
Yeah I no longer care about how my ‘weird’ experiences are recieved. I could be in the most redneck bar or holier than thou church and I will unhesitatingly recount even the most bizzar and unbelivable ones, proudly ! I noticed a long time ago people actually appreciate this deep inside themselves, and are only judgemental on the surface due to fears of some kind operating upon them. My lack of honoring those fears helps them to release them from themselves. I have no expectations about their surface ractions though. I know peoplehave a facade to maintain in many environments, but that is their struggle, and by not honoring it, I find it helps them confront it.
Bal G
Well said Mike C!
Tam C
Very well spoken and written Mike C !
Tara J
Cool. Thanks for sharing.
Robert V
Bravo Mike C. Be honest and who gives a rats ass what anyone thinks. Just because someone does or does not believe in something, doesn’t mean that “thing” not believed or believed does or does not exist.
Bob
PATRICK
Enjoyed and thx.