In the fall of 2011, high on the rugged side of Oregon’s Blue Mountains, the remnants of old gold mines lay dormant, forgotten since the days of the American Civil War. Among a group of brave souls who sought adventure in the wilderness, one man found himself facing an encounter that would forever etch itself into his memory.
Jack, found himself far away from the convenience of modern civilization, deep in the embrace of nature. Up there, at an elevation above 7,800 feet, cell phone reception was but a distant dream. When Jack’s friend Andy had to make a phone call, he sought Jack’s assistance to reach a higher point with better signal. So, they rode together on an ATV to the top switchback where Andy intended to make his call as the sun slowly descended towards the horizon.
As Andy made his call, Jack wandered a short distance away to provide him some privacy. The daylight began to fade rapidly, and the cold of the high altitude enveloped them without mercy. Feeling anxious about Andy’s prolonged phone call, Jack decided to retrace his steps and check on his friend.
As he approached a cluster of trees, tightly knitted against the uphill side of the switchback, an ominous growl resonated in the air. The sound was unlike anything Jack had ever heard before, deep and menacing, resembling a cat’s warning growl but far more profound in tone.
Fear clutched his heart, and though he had left his rifle and shotgun back at camp, Jack clung to his Colt 1911 sidearm. With both arms extended, he moved cautiously towards Andy, keenly aware that the source of the growl now stood between him and his oblivious friend.
In the twilight’s fading light, Jack strained his eyes to make out what lay within the cluster of trees. The growling persisted, and he felt a surge of unease coursing through his veins. When he was now between Andy and the mysterious creature, he dared a glance back at his friend, who, to his relief, had noticed the situation and readied himself with his own pistol in hand while still on the phone.
Returning his gaze towards the source of the growling, Jack froze in disbelief. Before him, emerging from the shadows, was an immense, towering figure—this massive creature approached the cluster of trees with surprising speed. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before, a hulking, tall being that moved with uncanny agility. In that moment, Jack realized that this creature, if it so desired, could outrun a deer with ease.
As the ominous figure passed him by, it became apparent that it posed no immediate threat to him. Instead, it focused its attention on whatever lay concealed within the trees, and as it reached the cluster, the growling ceased abruptly.
Jack’s mind raced, trying to process the astonishing sight before him. This creature was not only of immense proportions but also astonishingly swift—a marvel of nature’s design. Fear and awe mingled within him, and he couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer strength and grace the creature possessed.
Without wasting any time, Jack made his way back to the ATV and urgently told Andy, “We’re leaving.” There was no room for debate or hesitation; whatever lay in those trees was a force beyond their comprehension.
In the days that followed, Jack would replay the encounter countless times in his mind, seeking to make sense of the extraordinary event. He speculated that there might have been more than one of these beings present, with a female or juvenile in the trees, and the colossal figure hastening to intervene and warn him off.
Though the .45 ACP sidearm provided some comfort, Jack realized that in the face of such a massive and swift being, his weapon would have been of little use if the creature had chosen to attack. It was an unsettling revelation that stayed with him long after that day.
Andy, too, had his encounter with the enigmatic being when he saw it running away into the mountainous distance, its thunderous steps echoing through the wilderness. The memory of that encounter left them both shaken, and they remained vigilant during their remaining time on the mountain.
With a final gaze at the majestic but mystical landscape, they eventually bid farewell to the mountain that held its secrets close, never revealing its truths to those who dared to venture too close to its heart. And so, Jack and Andy left the untamed wilderness, forever carrying with them the memory of that twilight encounter and the realization that some mysteries of the wild would forever remain elusive.
Back at camp, Jack and Andy hesitated to share their harrowing experience with the rest of the group. They knew they would be met with skepticism and ridicule, dismissing their tale as a mere figment of their imaginations. After all, who would believe in the existence of a towering, swift creature roaming the Oregon mountains?
But as the days passed, the memory of that encounter haunted Jack, gnawing at his curiosity like an insatiable hunger. He found himself yearning for answers, for a deeper understanding of the enigmatic being that had crossed his path. And so, he began to discreetly inquire among the locals of nearby Sumpter, hoping to find others who might have encountered similar wonders in the wilderness.
Late one evening, while seated by the campfire, Jack struck up a conversation with an elderly local named Pete, a grizzled man with weather-beaten features that spoke of a life spent amidst the rugged terrain.
“Tell me, Pete,” Jack began, trying to sound casual, “have you ever heard any strange tales or witnessed something out of the ordinary in these mountains?”
Pete’s eyes flickered with a mixture of surprise and wariness. He took a slow drag from his pipe, seeming to contemplate his response. “Son, these mountains hold their secrets close, and not all are willing to share them,” he finally replied cryptically.
Jack persisted, not willing to let the opportunity slip away. “I understand, Pete. But sometimes, the unknown can be as intriguing as it is frightening. I’ve heard stories of strange creatures and unexplained phenomena in these parts. Is there any truth to those tales?”
Pete’s gaze softened, and he seemed to sense the sincerity in Jack’s words. “I’ve been living here my whole life,” he said with a hint of nostalgia. “And I’ve heard my fair share of strange stories, though I can’t say for sure what’s true and what’s merely embellishment.”
Jack leaned closer, feeling a connection with Pete, as if the old man held the key to unlocking the mysteries of the Blue Mountains. “I’d be grateful to hear any tale you’d be willing to share, Pete. I promise to treat it with the utmost respect.”
Pete paused, seemingly lost in thought. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he began his story. “Years ago, I was out hunting near Cracker Creek Road, just like you and your friend. It was a quiet afternoon, and I was tracking a buck when I heard a rustling in the bushes nearby. At first, I thought it was just some critter scurrying about, but as I got closer, I realized it was something much larger.”
“What did you see?” Jack asked eagerly, his heart pounding in anticipation.
Pete’s eyes seemed to drift into the past, reliving the moment. “It was a creature unlike anything I’d ever seen,” he said slowly. “Tall and covered in thick, dark fur, it moved with a grace that defied its massive size. Its eyes, Jack, its eyes were piercing, like they could see right through you, into your very soul.”
Jack leaned in even closer, captivated by Pete’s tale. “What did you do, Pete? How did you react?”
Pete took another puff from his pipe, the smoke swirling around his weathered face. “I’ll be honest with you, son. Fear gripped me like a vice. I had my rifle with me, but I knew deep down that it wouldn’t be enough to stop such a creature if it decided to charge. So, I stayed still, hoping it hadn’t seen me.”
“And what happened next?” Jack asked, his voice barely a whisper.
“Well, it seemed as if the creature was curious about me, but not threatened. It stared at me for what felt like an eternity, and then, as suddenly as it had appeared, it vanished into the thick underbrush,” Pete replied.
“Did you tell anyone about what you saw?” Jack inquired.
Pete shook his head solemnly. “I didn’t, son. Who would believe an old man’s story of a mysterious, towering being in these woods? I kept it to myself, convincing myself that maybe I had just seen a bear or something else. But deep down, I knew it was something more.”
Jack could hardly contain his excitement. He had found someone who had experienced something similar to what he and Andy had encountered. “Pete, do you think it was a Sasquatch? The creature we saw had to be at least seven or eight feet tall!”
Pete chuckled softly, as if reliving a memory from long ago. “Well, son, I can’t say for certain what it was. Some folks around here call it the ‘Bigfoot,’ others say it’s just a story passed down through generations. But I reckon, if you and your friend saw something, there might be more to it than just tales around a campfire.”
As the night wore on, Jack and Pete continued to share stories of strange happenings in the eastern Oregon wilderness. There were accounts of unexplained howls echoing through the mountains, strange footprints discovered in remote areas, and sightings of elusive beings that defied conventional explanation. It became clear to Jack that he had stumbled upon a hidden world, one that few dared to explore or even acknowledge.
In the following days, Jack and Andy discreetly gathered more accounts from locals, finding a common thread in the stories of mysterious encounters. Some spoke of a primal fear that washed over them when they stumbled upon the cryptic creatures. Others shared stories of moments of peaceful coexistence, where the beings seemed more curious than menacing.
With each tale they collected, Jack’s fascination grew, and so did his determination to learn more. He knew that he had to venture back into the wilderness, armed not only with his sidearm but also with a desire to understand these beings, should they cross paths once more.
The group’s time on the mountain came to an end, and they reluctantly left the untamed wilderness behind. But for Jack, the mountains had imprinted something profound on his soul. The allure of the unknown, the mysteries that lay hidden in the shadows of the ancient forests, called to him like a siren’s song.
Back in the bustling city, Jack immersed himself in research, poring over books, articles, and accounts of Sasquatch, encounters from around the world. He connected with researchers, cryptozoologists, and fellow enthusiasts who shared his passion for uncovering the truth behind these elusive beings.
As the years passed, Jack made numerous expeditions into the wilderness, always searching for clues, for that one elusive encounter that would offer undeniable proof of their existence. He documented everything he could, recording his findings in meticulous detail, hoping to one day share his discoveries with the world.
Yet, despite his unwavering determination, concrete evidence remained elusive. Each encounter, while thrilling and awe-inspiring, only added to the enigma surrounding these beings. Jack began to wonder if they were meant to remain hidden, a part of nature’s vast tapestry that humans were not meant to fully comprehend.
His quest for answers led him on a journey that transcended the boundaries of science and skepticism. It became a spiritual journey, one that forced him to confront the limits of human understanding and embrace the mysteries of the universe.
In the end, Jack realized that the pursuit of truth didn’t always lead to concrete answers. Sometimes, the beauty of a mystery lay in its ability to ignite our imagination, to challenge our beliefs, and to remind us that there were still wonders in this world that defied explanation.
And so, Jack continued his explorations, not as a mere seeker of evidence, but as a custodian of the unknown. He understood that some mysteries were best left untouched, like ancient relics buried deep in the earth, waiting for the right time to reveal their secrets.
As the years passed, Jack’s fascination never waned. He learned to appreciate the fleeting moments of connection with nature’s secrets, to cherish the memories of encounters that left him both humbled and in awe.
Jack’s journey into the heart of the Oregon mountains became more than just a quest for Sasquatch encounters. It became a testament to the resilience of curiosity and the boundless spirit of exploration. It taught him that sometimes, the most profound revelations lay not in the answers we seek, but in the questions we dare to ask.
And so, the legend of the mountain encounters live on, not just as stories shared around campfires or whispered among the locals, but as a reminder that the wilderness still holds secrets that could stir the soul and inspire the imagination. And as long as there were those like Jack, who dared to venture into the unknown, the allure of the Sasquatch would forever remain a captivating enigma of the wild.
The preceding is chapter 1 from my book Oregon Sasquatch: Real Stories Retold.