BFRO #25280: Man startles creature while mountain biking near Chelan

📍 Location

📝 Description

While on a mountain-bike ride down ********* trail, located approx 17 miles northwest of Chelan Washington. I came around a left-hand bend in the trail, which was proceeding up a ridgeline slope of moderate grade. The trail was well packed and damp, as a rainstorm had preceded my biking trip by two days. This weather pattern was unusual for Central Washington in the late summer month of August. I was biking alone, and the section of trail preceding my unidentified animal sighting was downhill and allowed me to ride quickly, making little noise. As I proceeded around the left hand bend in the trail, my vision was drawn to a motion on the ridgeline that continued to my upward left. What I saw was a tall (approx 8 ft), Dark brown, longhaired animal running rapidly in a bi-pedal manner from the exposed ridgeline in a northwesterly direction. He remained in my line of vision as he ran through a moderately dense high alpine forest. It was astounding to me how quickly and quietly the animal was able to move for his sheer body size. I immediately stopped my bike with the initial sight of this animal. After stopping my bike, the animal remained within my sight for approx 10-15 seconds as he was running rapidly away from my intrusion. There was no mistaking this animal's height as I am 6' 4", and my estimate of 8 ft. may be a moderate estimate of actual height. There also was no mistaking the bi-pedal pattern of running exhibitited by this unknown animal. After seeing the animal run through the forest, I dropped my bike where I stood, and walked quietly down to the point where I saw him cross the trail. The tracks of this animal showed poorly as the ground on either side of the trail was densely vegetated with low-lying grasses and shrubs. It was remarkable to see such a large animal move so quickly and efficiently through the density of the forest. I looked for broken twigs, branches, or hair and found none. I failed to find tracks within the trail.

🔍 Circumstances

No other witnesses

🌤️ Weather Conditions

Time: approx 9:00 amLighting: Full morning sun-light, no fog, smoke, or haze.

ℹ️ Additional Details

Time: approx 9:00 amLighting: Full morning sun-light, no fog, smoke, or haze.

🔗 Sources (1)

👥 Community Contributions

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