BFRO #26285: Unusual thud and possible whoop heard along with feeling of being watched in Algonquin Provincial Park

📍 Location

📝 Description

First backpacking campsite on Western Uplands backpacking trail, Rain Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, near Kearney:I was lying in my tent about to fall asleep when the forest went dead quiet. It was an uneasy feeling. Then I felt an enormous thud on the ground. The thud was totaly silent and did not disturb my sleeping son. I thought that the thud was my heart giving out as it was followed by arythmia, and I was praying that this was not the time or the place for me to have a heart attack. I thought I smelled a skunk smell, but when I breathed in deeper a second breath, I smelled nothing. The forest remained calm and I listened intently, thinking we were visited by a bear. The next morning, my son and I did some testing as it is possible to feel vibrations from walking on the thin soil overlaying the shield rock, which sounds like hollow ground when walking upon it. We determined that whatever it was had to have been within 4 feet of the tent. We could not reproduce the aplitude of the thud. We did discover where the animal came down from the trail into the campsite, and determined that neither of us had walked that way that night. We also believe that a 400 lb bear could not have produced the thud unless it jumped. I thought that it felt more like a 1000 lb moose, but could not explain why a moose would come that close to a designated campsite. I also thought that I heard a loon hooting later that night, but the hoot did not just sound right as it was more of a Whoop than a hoot, and much louder. There was a tree about 8" in diameter that had been snapped off about two feet above ground that was there when we arrived in camp. The splinters were fresh on the ground not covered by other forest debris such as pine needles as nearby ground conditions exibited. The tree had been snapped off. I noticed this as I cut the splinted end off the stump for firewood in the morning. It had not been chopped down or cut down. It was just the stump. I did not think anything of it at the time, a dead tree blown down in the woods. But in retrospect, it was fresh, no debirs on the stump as well. Which begs the question, where was the fallen tree? Surely someone could not have burnt it all up in a day? There was not enought fresh ash in the fire pit when we arrived. Also, who cuts up a fallen tree and hauls the whole thing off for firewood? I am not even so sure that the tree was in that condition when I first surveyed the sight, after having went forward to survey the second sight and returned to the first. I didn't notice it until after my son and I were both offsite for some time hanging the bear bags. Finally, earlier that night while preparing for bed, I asked my son several times, "What?" thinking he was talking to me, but not understanding him, but he said that he had said nothing. I have been in bear country before, and had to chase one off before, been there when my son was seven, not twelve (now), and took my daughter (16 mo) into Gatineau last week, but I can honestly say that this was the most scared I have ever been. If it was a Sasquatch or whatever they are called, I think I know why they were unhappy with our presence. I tested a bear banger flare at the bridge, just to make sure they were in working order. The wind caught the flare and blew it into a tree. Stupid me. It was embarassing, having to tell my son to wait on the trail while I investigated to make sure my idiot moment didn't catch the forest on fire. How careless of me. Anybody having observed this stunt would have judged me for a rookie and wouldn't want me camping near them. And well, I am when it comes to backpacking. I have done wilderness canoe camping in Quetico a dozen times though. The place was littered with moose and bear sign, with may bear footprints that seemed large and elongated moreso than what I am used to seeing. Everything was not adding up, and we decided to hike out giving up on the last 7 days of our adventure. While walking out, I had the feeling of being watched, and even noticed "something large" in the bushes about 40 m away. Upon investigation and finding nothing, I just assume it was overactive imagination, but the more I think the more things add up.

🔍 Circumstances

no witnesses to thud, son witnessed tracks (not dicernable) leading into camp and splintered tree stump

🌤️ Weather Conditions

10 PM, overcast, light drizzle, 12 deg C, no breeze

ℹ️ Additional Details

10 PM, overcast, light drizzle, 12 deg C, no breeze

🔗 Sources (1)

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