Los Angeles County, California
Angeles National Forest
May 12, 2003

I have always hoped that animals such as a Sasquatch, Yeti, and the Loch Ness Monster exist. As a child, I always dreamed that I would see one, especially Nessie. However, as I grew to adulthood, I began to scoff more and more at sightings, never quite disbelieving, but quietly thinking that most who spot unknown animals are hardly close to credible.

I can think that no longer, as I too have become one of the growing list of people that have seen a "bigfoot."

I had set out for a solo hike in the Angeles National Forest. I arrived a little later than I would have liked around 9:00 AM and I wasn't sure exactly where the trailhead for Mount Waterman started. I was driving around, when I decided to check if Buckhorn Campground was deserted. There was one car parked in the back, and it looked as if the people who had came in the car were off hiking, so I made a note to myself that at this time of year during the week, the campsite is pretty much empty. I like them this way.

As I turned my car around and was heading out of the campground, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look for only a portion of a second, and I clearly spotted a dark humanoid figure less than 30 yards away from me. I stopped my truck, and turned to look, and all I could see was the gentle moving of the bush in the area the creature was standing in.

My encounter lasted only for a second. I didn't get out to look for it, nor explore where it had been standing. My only thought was to leave it alone, so that it would also leave me alone. I didn't think I would ever tell anyone about this, but the more I think back and reflect upon it, I know that I have to.

As I began my hike, I hoped that my visitor would return and let me catch another glimpse, but that was not to be.

Allen (last name withheld.)
Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District


Please do not use my last name or email address if you post this on your site - thank you.