BFRO #1352: Daylight sighting by hikers near Lake Fork, off the Conejos River.

📍 Location

📝 Description

I saw with binoculars a group of three hikers and a dog making their way down the Lake Fork Trail toward the Lake Fork Ranch. They were walking at a fairly normal speed. What I would say to be 400 or 500 yards in front of them was a large, black object moving in the same direction--away from the hikers--at a much faster speed. It was not on the trail, but instead in the meadow next to the trail. It seemed as if it was spooked by the hikers. I'd say it was about a half mile from me, and 1000 or so feet downhill, so I couldn't get a really good guage on how big it was. Although, judging its size against the hikers, it was clearly much larger than a man. There is no question that it was bipedal; not once did I see it move quadrapedally. This was definitely not a bear. As it appeared from my vantage point, I don't think the hikers ever had a direct view of this thing. The clearing in which the hikers were was separated from the clearing across which it was running by a tongue of aspens growing down into the valley. I watched for about 5 minutes as it moved away from the hikers, eventually jumping Lake Fork and bearing farther away from the trail and disappearing into the trees on the southern edge of the valley. are there any other reports in this area? I've been going to the Conejos for about 25 years, and have never seen or heard of anything like this.

🔍 Circumstances

My wife and I had been driving slowly along the logging roads looking for elk. We happened upon the overlook by accident. I decided to look down into the Lake Fork valley to see if there were any elk or deer there.

🌤️ Weather Conditions

At approximately 1:30 in the afternoon. Clear skies...unlimited visibility...sunlight was shining directly on the Lake Fork Valley floor Had a clear view with no obstructions Valley floor was about 0.5 miles away and 1000 or 1500 feet downhill The overlook from which my wife and I were watching is about 2 miles in an easterly direction from where the Saddle Creek logging road forks off to the Tobacco Lake trailhead. Explanation of the report classification system Submit a report for the sighting...

ℹ️ Additional Details

At approximately 1:30 in the afternoon. Clear skies...unlimited visibility...sunlight was shining directly on the Lake Fork Valley floor Had a clear view with no obstructions Valley floor was about 0.5 miles away and 1000 or 1500 feet downhill The overlook from which my wife and I were watching is about 2 miles in an easterly direction from where the Saddle Creek logging road forks off to the Tobacco Lake trailhead. Explanation of the report classification system Submit a report for the sightings database Please send any comments or inquiries to ContactUs@BFRO.net Copyright © 2025 BFRO.net runLogo();

🔗 Sources (1)

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