“I’m a Backpacker and Bigfoot Followed Me for Miles” – TRUE STORY
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On September 15, 2021, Jake Morrison embarked on what he thought would be a routine solo backpacking trip through the Olympic National Forest in Washington State. An experienced hiker and freelance outdoor photographer from Portland, Oregon, Jake had spent over eight years exploring the Pacific Northwest wilderness, documenting his adventures on his popular YouTube channel, Trail Tales with Jake. With a growing audience of 1,000 subscribers, he was eager to capture the ethereal beauty of the autumn forest.
Jake’s plan was ambitious yet feasible: a five-day trek covering 37 miles along the Quinault River, deep into the heart of the Olympic wilderness. He envisioned filming the changing seasons, showcasing the ancient cedar groves and hidden waterfalls that few had the privilege to see. However, what lay ahead was far beyond his expectations.
As he arrived at the Graves Creek trailhead at 7:30 a.m., Jake noticed the eerie emptiness of the parking area. Only one other vehicle was present, unusual for a Wednesday morning. Undeterred, he meticulously organized his gear, ensuring he had everything he needed—a GoPro Hero 9 mounted on his chest harness and a handheld Sony A7R4 for still photography. His pack weighed 42 pounds, filled with food, camping gear, and enough batteries to keep his cameras running for days.
The first day unfolded beautifully, with the trail winding through towering Douglas firs and western red cedars, some over 800 years old. Jake narrated his experience for his viewers, emphasizing the solitude and beauty of the forest. By 4:15 p.m., he reached his campsite beside Pony Creek, a perfect spot with access to fresh water and flat ground for his tent.
As the golden hour approached, Jake began his evening photography session. While reviewing his shots, he noticed something peculiar—a large, dark shape lurking in the background of several images. It was partially obscured by trees, and despite his attempts to rationalize it as a stump or shadow, unease crept in. The shape seemed too tall and narrow, appearing in three consecutive photos taken from different angles.
As night fell, Jake prepared dinner while keeping at least one camera recording for safety. Suddenly, at 9:23 p.m., his GoPro captured a sound that would haunt him for months—a low, resonant call echoing through the forest, unlike anything he had heard in his years of wilderness camping. Intrigued rather than frightened, Jake grabbed his headlamp and camera, moving cautiously toward the sound’s origin.
For the next 20 minutes, he stood at the edge of his campsite, listening intently, but the forest had fallen silent. Even the sounds of Pony Creek seemed muted, as if the entire ecosystem was holding its breath. Eventually, he returned to his tent, but sleep eluded him. His cameras continued recording, capturing more instances of the mysterious calls throughout the night. Audio analysis later revealed that the vocalizations came from multiple directions, suggesting either several creatures or one moving stealthily around his campsite.
Morning brought a mix of relief and dread as Jake reviewed the footage. At 2:47 a.m., his tent-mounted GoPro had captured a clear image of something moving past—an upright figure, easily 7 feet tall and covered in dark hair. It moved with deliberate stealth, careful not to make a sound. Jake’s heart raced as he replayed the footage, realizing he was witnessing something extraordinary.
Day two began with a blend of excitement and apprehension. Part of him wanted to retreat, but the allure of documenting a potential Bigfoot encounter compelled him to continue. As he hiked deeper into the wilderness, he remained vigilant, scanning the trees for any sign of his mysterious visitor.
At 11:30 a.m., while crossing a small tributary creek, Jake discovered massive footprints pressed into the muddy bank—16 inches long and 7 inches wide. These were no ordinary animal tracks. He whispered to his camera, noting that whatever made these prints had to weigh at least 400 pounds. The realization that he was being stalked sent chills down his spine. Something was following him, observing from the shadows.
As the day progressed, Jake’s psychological battle intensified. He was torn between fascination and fear, knowing he was not alone in this vast wilderness. At 3:45 p.m., the creature made its presence unmistakably known. While resting beside a fallen log, Jake heard the same resonant call from earlier, this time coming from directly ahead. When he looked up, a massive figure stood about 100 yards away, partially obscured by trees.
The creature was even larger than he had estimated, standing at least 8 feet tall. Its dark, coarse hair and intelligent eyes conveyed a message: it was aware of Jake’s presence and had chosen to reveal itself. For 30 seconds, they locked eyes, and Jake captured several minutes of video footage that would later be analyzed by experts worldwide. Then, as quickly as it appeared, the creature vanished into the forest.
The encounter changed everything for Jake. What began as a simple backpacking trip had transformed into a harrowing experience filled with dread and wonder. Over the next three days, the creature revealed itself repeatedly, always maintaining a careful distance. The psychological toll of being constantly watched began to wear on him.
On day three, Jake awoke to the sound of heavy footsteps circling his campsite. His food bag, hung 12 feet high according to bear safety protocols, had been carefully lowered and placed beside his tent. Nothing was missing, but the message was clear: his stalker could have taken anything it wanted. Jake’s stress mounted as he realized the creature was trying to communicate, but he couldn’t decipher its intentions.
Day four brought the most intense encounter yet. While crossing an open meadow, Jake heard the familiar call echoing from multiple directions. Panic surged as he realized he wasn’t being followed by one creature, but by several. The creatures had him surrounded, observing him with a coordinated strategy that was both fascinating and terrifying.
That night, Jake was awakened at 3:15 a.m. by the sound of something large moving through his campsite. His tent-mounted camera captured a figure approaching within 10 feet of him. The creature remained beside his tent for nearly 20 minutes, occasionally making soft vocalizations that sounded almost conversational. When Jake finally gathered the courage to peek through the tent, he found himself staring into the creature’s intelligent eyes.
The final day of hiking was a blur of exhaustion and relief. The creatures seemed to have withdrawn, perhaps satisfied that he was leaving their territory. As he approached the Graves Creek trailhead, Jake felt like a different person from the one who had set out five days earlier. His cameras contained footage that would challenge everything science thought it knew about the wilderness.
After reporting his encounters to skeptical park rangers, Jake returned to Portland, determined to understand and document the creatures he had encountered. His life became consumed by the search for answers, leading him to connect with other witnesses who had remained silent for years. Together, they began planning return expeditions to the Olympic Peninsula, collecting evidence and documenting their findings.
Jake’s YouTube channel evolved from simple hiking entertainment to serious cryptozoological research, attracting a global audience. He published a book about his experience, which became a bestseller in the cryptozoology community. However, success came at a cost. His relationship with his girlfriend, Sarah, suffered under the weight of his obsession, and Jake struggled with the psychological impact of his encounters.
Despite the challenges, Jake remained dedicated to uncovering the truth about the creatures that had followed him for five days. His journey serves as a reminder that even in our modern age, the wilderness still holds secrets that challenge our understanding of what’s possible. Jake’s story is not just about Bigfoot; it’s about the courage to confront the unknown and the profound discoveries that await those brave enough to venture into the wild places where mystery still lives.
