Tracking the Elusive Sasquatch in the Adirondacks
Sasquatch, Bigfoot, Yeti, no matter what you call it, this enigmatic creature knows its way around the ADK.
The first time I heard about the legendary Bigfoot was from the 70s TV show, "In Search Of." In each episode, Leonard Nimoy, the OG Dr. Spock from "Star Trek," would narrate stories investigating mysterious, controversial and paranormal subjects. The Bigfoot episode focused on sightings in the Pacific Northwest. As a kid who still slept with the hall light on until my pre-teen years, I found it comforting that there were at least 3,000 miles between Sasquatch and me.
Little did I know that there had already been sightings of a mysterious creature lurking in the Adirondack woods. There are several recorded sightings in the Adirondacks, and Whitehall is the most famous (or infamous?), known as the Bigfoot capital of the Northeast.
The Abair Incident: A Bigfoot sighting sparks a movement.
Over many years, Whitehall residents report numerous sightings of a mysterious, alarmingly large creature. According to an article in The Daily Gazette, one of the most credible sightings in modern times occurred in August of 1976 when three teenagers reported seeing a strange creature in a field off of Abair Road in Whitehall.
Bryan Gosselin, a Whitehall police officer, responded to the call and witnessed an unexplainable creature on Abair Road, making it one of the most credible sightings ever in the area.
And he wasn't alone; over several days, some of Gosselin's fellow officers, his father Wilfred, and brother Paul also saw something they couldn't fully explain.
Giant tracks were found on the river's edge near the field where it was spotted. The descriptions include accounts of the animal standing between 7-8 feet tall and weighing 400 pounds.
Great, glowing, big red eyes.
Bigfoot spotters frequently describe the creature as having red eyes and emitting a terrible scream. One witness even claimed to have seen the creature standing still, staring at her, with its eyes glowing, for several minutes before disappearing.
These incidents sparked a surge of interest in Sasquatch and led to an influx of sightings and reports in the Whitehall area.
Stay in the canoe! A sighting in the High Peaks region.
Whitehall isn’t the only place in the ADK to report Bigfoot encounters. For example, in the summer of 1996, a group of friends camped in the Pine Pond area at the base of Ampersand Mountain, not far from Saranac Lake. In the late afternoon, two campers were fishing from a canoe, casually chatting, taking in the scenery, when one of the boaters spied a strange shape on the edge of the wood line 50 yards away.
Alerting their fellow paddler, they caught sight of a creature that bore a striking resemblance to a black bear. With caution, they began rowing towards it. In a calm tone, one friend whispered, "It's a bear." However, the figure suddenly rose on two legs.
As the creature rose to its feet, it revealed a towering height of at least seven feet and a coat of dark brown hair. Its face boasted a fleshy upper cheek area and piercing, reflective eyes. The paddlers watched as the creature shifted its head and gestured with its hands, studying them for several seconds, maybe even up to ten. Its head tilted upwards as if inhaling the surrounding air.
The sound of snapping twigs some fifty feet behind it made the creature spring into action. It turned to its side, then glared back at the canoe before spinning completely around, "darting into the wood line like a cat."
The canoers deliberated whether to paddle toward the shore to look for tracks or other evidence to corroborate their sighting. Even though one of the friends was eager to flee the scene, the other camper’s curiosity won out. Eventually, they stumbled upon two distinct imprints on the shoreline made by the creature's twisting and turning.
Visit Whitehall to celebrate Sasquatch.
Given the high number of Sasquatch sightings in Whitehall, it's no surprise that the town has become a magnet for Bigfoot enthusiasts. Each year, the "Sasquatch Festival and Calling Contest" is held in the village, drawing in believers and skeptics alike to celebrate and discuss the mythical creature. The festival also features a Bigfoot calling contest, where participants try to mimic the howls and grunts attributed to Sasquatch.
This year’s event is scheduled for September 28, 2024. For the most updated information, visit their Facebook page.
Giving new meaning to the term “forever wild” in the Adirondack Park.
To this day, Sasquatch remains a topic of conversation and intrigue in Whitehall. The town has even declared itself "the official home of Bigfoot" and proudly displays its likeness on its town seal.
While skeptics may scoff at the idea of a giant, hairy humanoid living in the woods of Whitehall or elsewhere in the Adirondacks, there is no denying the impact that Sasquatch has had on the area.
And who knows, maybe we'll finally have definitive proof of its existence one day. Until then, the legend – and the sightings – will continue to captivate us. So next time you find yourself in Whitehall, keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready – you never know when you might catch a glimpse of the elusive Sasquatch.
Shop our Adirondack Sasquatch: Forever Wild Collection
Upcoming events in the Adirondack Park.
During PRIDE Month, Strand Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh hosts a new installation, Hues of Identity.
Experience equestrian excellence at the Lake Placid and I Love NY Horse Shows surrounding the July 4th Holiday.
The Adirondack Mountain Club is seeking volunteers for a five-day cooperative trail work opportunity.
Athletes will again descend on Tupper Lake on June 29, 2024, for the historic Tinman Triathlon, one of the oldest triathlon events in the USA.
Free Fishing Days are back in New York State. On Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30, 2024, residents and non-residents can fish without a freshwater fishing license.
Join The Hyde Collection in the southern Adirondacks for a creative journey inspired by the powerful work of artist Hill Werth to explore themes of inclusivity and unity.
Strawberry Shortcake and more at Raquette Lake’s strawberry festival in the Adirondacks.
Take your taste buds to Lake George for two days of local food, wine, beer and craft beverage makers.
The Adirondack Center for Writing hosts events in honor of PRIDE Month.
Sons of Mystro open the Lake George Summer Concert Series using their violins to interpret reggae classics, American pop songs and their unique creations.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter returns to Lake Placid to celebrate the release of her eleventh studio album, Lo.
The 3rd Annual Tri-Lakes PRIDE Festival will take place on Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Saranac Lake’s historic and picturesque Riverside Park.
Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain hosts their four-day celebration of the 4th of July starting on July 1.
It’s non-stop fun at Ticonderoga’s four-day celebration of the 4th of July.
Fort Ticonderoga in the Adirondacks commemorates the eve of the American Revolution with a unique food event.
Local and regional artists converge to unveil their exceptional creations in the Adirondacks.
Day 3 of Ticonderoga’s four-day, family-friendly celebration of the 4th of July.
Fort Ticonderoga brings the Bravo-Real-Housewives-worthy drama with its “Drinsk + Drama” program. They will dish the dirt on all the scandals and hanky-panky that went down at Fort Ti.
Eventually Epic brings eclectic rock songs across diverse musical genres, ranging from classic rock to contemporary pop to (Hindi) Bollywood tunes, to Lake George’s Summer Concert Series.
Kick-off the 4th of July in the Adirondacks at Schroon Lake’s summer concert series.
Experience America’s birthday in the heart of the Adirondacks on July 3, 2024.
Start your 4th of July with a fun run for a good cause in Essex, NY Lake Champlain.
Spend the day celebrating the 4th of July in Schroon Lake.
Celebrate the 4th with family-friendly field games, fun contests, refreshments, live music and fireworks.
Enjoy the 4th of July on Lake Champlain in the Adirondacks with an Independence Day parade and a town-wide celebration.
Experience Independence Day at an iconic Adirondack lakefront town with music, magic and fireworks.
Celebrate the 4th of July in Ticonderoga — parades, food, live music, fireworks and more.
Attend a reading of the original Declaration of Independence in honor of July 4 at Fort William Henry on Lake George.
Celebrate the Fourth of July in Lake Placid with a home-town parade, live music and a fireworks spectacular.
Celebrate Independence Day at Tupper Lake’s Waterfront Park. Enjoy fireworks, live music and a baseball game.