Second. One day I was showing two other researchers a nest I had found that was of interest to them. We walked along a logging road with the thick brush on both sides, we spooked something that was in the brush right next to us. What ever it was, was HUGE! You could hear it grunt as it stood up, it then bolted through the thick vegetation breaking branches in its path. We all jumped back as soon as it happened and expected to see something come running out of the brush, instead it made its way up the hill, we could actually see the vegetation parting as it made its way through. One guy had his big lab with him; it took off running after it only to quickly return to his owner’s side and not wanting to go anywhere else. We asked each other, “what was that!!” we all had no idea, we all knew it wasn’t a bear but it was the only explanation we could come up with. I remember that moment very precisely because I was literally standing within arm’s reach of this thing. When it grunted or growled it was very strange, it was like we all were put in shock, it felt kind of surreal. Many have spoken about a possible sub-sonic or low frequency that Sasquatch may be able to produce, what ever this was we were all left the feeling that what ever presence we just encountered was not your average bear or animal, it was something different. After we calmed down we made our way to the nest and didn’t hear or see anything.
Finally near the end of my internship with a brand new machete on my belt I got the nerve and decided to explore the other side of the mountain that merged with the Monongahela forest. One day I made my way up through the thick brush only to find that it opened into a little oasis, a beautiful pine forest. Tall fully-grown mature Eastern Hemlocks towered here and there to create a cathedral effect; the forest floor was covered with soft needles as ground litter. It was a really amazing forest, totally surrounded by this impassable thick brush. I walked onward towards the top, It got so high I was in clouds and there was a light fog in the air that made it the most delightful place I’ve been. I walked along and found a fresh red oak tree branch with fresh leaves still on it, I stopped and picked it up and thought, “There isn’t an oak tree anywhere around here, this is dry pine forest, the oaks grow in sandier moist soil, and it’s too big for a small mammal to carry around?” I walked along further up with oak branch in hand really enjoying the moment of this special place. The knee high ground cover was totally gone all there was were these beautiful pines here and there and the occasional boulders or rocky outcropping, it was easy walking. I got to the cusp of the peak and through the tops of the trees I saw a magnificent view of rolling mountains covered in trees, I was about to descend over the edge when I something made it stop dead in my tracks.
Something on the other side of the hill was charging at me pull speed, its foot falls sounded like horse hooves it was so loud. I froze, completely out of fear of what may come over the hill at me, I was so afraid I wouldn’t have had the thought to grab a camera or sidearm. The running foot falls got louder and louder until whatever it was, was about to come over the hill. Just before it showed itself it made a right turn and ran lengthwise alongside the edge of the hill, the foot falls eventually stopped about 20 yards from me. I was scared to say the least, (but remember I still did not have the thought of Bigfoot on my radar so I assumed it was a native animal or a person) I ruled out animal because the footfalls sounded bipedal like a person but as loud and forceful as horse hooves. Encountering a person here would be extremely rare and unexpected as this was private land and all entrances were locked with gates, this person would have to be trespassing and in a remote area without a car that I saw on the main logging road. After I came out of my shock I proceeded very cautiously over the crest of the hill to see or hear nothing. I looked around for a while as the land before me had flattened out and rolled gently downward. I was still within the tall stands of Eastern Hemlock pines, at this altitude a fog covered the forest in a shroud of mist and visibility was hindered.
I continued to explore this enchanted forest, I must say it was the most amazing place I have ever been (sad to say it will be logged one day) this strange charge that just happened kept me on my toes and heighted my senses, I was in full investigative mode pushing farther on and exploring more. I spent the rest of my day in this is charming forest as it was a reprieve from the thick young forest that I was searching, all the while I felt uneasy. I later took another biologist to this special spot and took this photo.