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Couple experience large rock thrown and possible bluff charge in Inyo National Forest
The witness and a companion hiked to a high-elevation lake to fish and stopped to rest on the trail. A large angular rock landed near them after they heard it moving through the air, followed by a loud grunt, a foul odor, and heavy footsteps approaching downhill. Fearing a bear, they fled down the switchback trail while the footsteps cut straight downhill behind them for about five minutes before stopping. They abandoned personal items, returned to the trailhead, and left the area.
Man describes childhood incident, a possible approach at Seven Lakes
The witness reports camping overnight in a tent with a relative in a remote glacial valley during a snowstorm. Around 3:45 a.m., they heard very heavy bipedal footsteps approach and stop a few feet from the tent, remaining silent for about five minutes before continuing toward a frozen lake and rugged ridgeline. The pair did not see the visitor and did not check for tracks, but left quickly at first light feeling frightened and unwelcome.
A large, unseen growling animal breaks large branches as it moves quickly up a hillside
The witness and a companion hiked about five miles up a creek to fish and felt they were being watched as the forest went unusually quiet. During an afternoon thunderstorm a lightning strike hit across the creek, after which they heard a growling or grunting sound and branches breaking high in trees moving rapidly up the creek and mountain out of hearing. The witness briefly saw a large shadow moving in the woods but nothing conclusive, and they could not search for prints because a fire from the strike caused evacuation.