I've been tracking a series of unusual tree structures and vocalizations in a remote section of the Cascade Range in Washington State for the past eight months. After three separate day hikes produced compelling physical evidence — including a 15.5-inch track line spanning roughly 70 metres, two large tree breaks at heights inconsistent with bear activity, and a wood-knock response to my own — I organised a three-night base camp investigation with two other researchers. We set up four trail cameras covering key corridors, motion sensors around the perimeter, and a remote audio array. I've been doing this for eleven years and consider myself a rigorous, evidence-led researcher. This trip produced the most compelling evidence of my career.
Night 1: Around 02:15 AM, motion sensor #3 (northeast corridor, approx. 180m from camp) triggered. Thermal camera picked up a large bipedal heat signature moving through dense undergrowth. Estimated height based on tree silhouette comparison: 7–8 feet. It was moving upright, unhurried. Trail cam footage from that zone was partially obstructed by a branch but captured approximately four seconds of the subject. The gait is unlike any bear movement I have ever seen — the stride length is immense and the posture fully erect. Night 1 also produced two clear wood-knocks at roughly 01:40 AM from the ridge to our west, which we responded to. A third knock came back approximately 90 seconds later from a different direction — suggesting either two subjects or rapid movement. Night 2: We discovered a fresh track line of 11 prints in a muddy creek crossing roughly 400m northeast of camp. Two prints were clean enough to cast. Stride length averaged 52 inches. Toe spread and mid-tarsal pressure ridge are inconsistent with any known bear morphology. Track width at the ball: 7.5 inches. We also found a recently constructed tree structure — three saplings bent and woven together at about 8 feet high — approximately 20m from the creek crossing. No storm damage in the area could account for it. Similar structures have been reported in this region going back to the 1970s. Night 3: The audio array captured a long, low-frequency vocalisation at 03:50 AM that none of us had ever heard in the field before. It lasted approximately 12 seconds, rose in pitch, then cut off abruptly. No wildlife I am aware of in this region produces a sound matching this profile. We have submitted the recording for analysis. The drone survey on the final morning revealed a second track line on a ridgeline not accessible on foot without significant equipment. We were unable to reach it in the remaining time.
Physical evidence was collected during this investigation. See findings above.