A listener writes “I’ve been backpacking for around 10 years and a wildland firefighter for 3. Back in August or September 2018 I experienced something I can’t quite explain.
Backpacking with my two daughters on a short trail in the Mendocino National Forest I was woken in the middle of the night by a large animal breaking through brush, breaking branches and making a very loud almost hissing sound. Repeatedly making the sound with what sounded like every exhale. I could hear it coming from the hill above our tent and coming directly towards us.
It came within I’d say 10-20 yards of us before it hit the trail we hiked in on and headed the other direction. It was big. At least elk sized but I never set eyes on it. I’ve never heard anything like it in the forest. My girls somehow slept through the whole thing. The closest thing I’ve ever heard to the hissing sound would be an air compressor releasing air. I was wondering if you’ve heard of Sasquatch making these sounds. The area I was in is next to the Round Valley Reservation, Covelo, CA.”