n October 1996, a family camping trip near Deadwood Reservoir in Idaho took a terrifying turn when their teenage son had a chilling encounter with an unidentified creature. At the time, the family’s husband worked for a logging company, which was conducting operations near an old mining town and mine in the forest.
On the opening day of deer season, their 14-year-old son set out early in the morning for a hunting expedition near the camp. He crossed the nearby Deadwood River and climbed a hill to gain a better vantage point of the river and the surrounding area. While surveying the scene, he noticed what he initially thought was a bear on the flats near the river. However, as he observed it more closely, he realized the creature was walking steadily on its hind legs, more akin to a human than a bear.
As he continued to watch, an increasing sense of unease came over him. Suddenly, the creature looked up, locking eyes with the young hunter. Overwhelmed by fear, he felt a gripping sensation like never before. Describing the creature as tall and hairy, he observed its dark color as it began moving toward his location.
In a panic, the boy turned and sprinted back to camp, seeking refuge in their fifth-wheel trailer. He remained inside, keeping the door locked and curtains drawn, even in broad daylight. It wasn’t until two days later, when his mother took him home, that he finally felt safe enough to let his guard down.
This eerie encounter took place near Scott Mountain Road, northeast of Garden Valley, Idaho, close to the abandoned Deadwood Mine. There, the remnants of two buildings can be found, serving as a stark reminder of the area’s past as a mining community.
Interestingly, the water truck driver, who visited the family’s camp on the evening of the son’s encounter, also shared a bizarre incident of his own. He claimed to have felt an intense sensation of being watched as he filled up his truck about half a mile downstream from their camp at 3 a.m. While standing behind his truck, he looked across the shallow Deadwood River and spotted a set of large, piercing eyes observing him from behind a tree on the opposite bank. This creature, he noted, moved silently and stood much taller than a man. The experience shook him to the core, prompting him to resign from his position the following day.
Furthermore, local hunters in the area have since reported a strong, unpleasant odor and a sense of being constantly watched as they ventured through the forests near Deadwood Reservoir.
These incidents make it clear that something mysterious and unexplained roams the woods in this secluded region of Idaho. The encounter leaves us with questions about the existence of a legendary creature known as Bigfoot or Sasquatch.