Hydaburg
Hydaburg sits on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska's temperate rainforest, surrounded by towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock that create the kind of dense, misty wilderness where something large could remain hidden. This small city of 380 residents became notable in cryptid circles when local officials reached out directly to investigators about compelling footprint evidence and multiple encounters. The community's location in the Tongass National Forest region provides millions of acres of pristine habitat, while the island's isolation from the mainland creates a unique ecosystem where an unknown primate population could potentially persist. What sets Hydaburg apart is the direct municipal involvement — it's rare for city mayors to formally request Bigfoot investigations.
Timeline
Indigenous Haida accounts of large, hairy forest beings on Prince of Wales Island
Modern sighting reports begin emerging from Hydaburg area residents
Finding Bigfoot team investigates at mayor's request following footprint discovery
Notable Sightings
- c. 2010· local taxi driver
A large log was reportedly thrown at her vehicle while driving, followed by a sighting of a tall, hair-covered bipedal figure near the roadside. The encounter occurred during daylight hours and lasted several minutes.
Local drivers know the island's roads and wildlife intimately, making misidentification of a black bear unlikely. The log-throwing behavior matches patterns reported across North America and would be difficult for any known animal to execute.
- Around 2011· Hydaburg residents
Multiple townspeople reported finding large, human-like footprints in muddy ground near the community. The prints showed clear toe definition and measured significantly larger than human feet.
The prints were photographed and deemed compelling enough for the mayor to formally request outside investigation. Multiple witnesses independently discovered similar tracks in the same timeframe.
What the Shows Found
- Finding BigfootS01E06
Did: Team interviewed the taxi driver about her log-throwing encounter, examined and cast a possible footprint found during their visit, and conducted nighttime investigations in the surrounding forest with thermal imaging
Found: Located what appeared to be a fresh footprint impression, though no confirmed evidence was captured during their overnight forest surveillance.
What the Science Says
Prince of Wales Island's ecosystem could theoretically support a large omnivorous primate, with abundant salmon runs, berry patches, and small game providing year-round food sources. The island's black bear population means witnesses need to carefully distinguish between known wildlife and anomalous encounters, though the bipedal locomotion and log-throwing behavior described doesn't match typical ursine activity patterns.
Research on North American footprint morphology includes several Alaskan specimens that show consistent anatomical features difficult to fake, including midtarsal flexibility and dermal ridge patterns. The Tongass region's dense canopy and frequent precipitation create challenging conditions for clear photographic evidence, but also provide the kind of habitat where an elusive species could avoid detection. While no definitive biological proof has emerged from southeastern Alaska, the consistency of reports across the broader Pacific Northwest suggests the phenomenon deserves continued scientific attention rather than dismissal.
Lore & Fun Facts
Hydaburg was the first city government to formally request a Bigfoot investigation from Finding Bigfoot
Prince of Wales Island is the fourth-largest island in the United States
The island's Haida heritage reflects the abundance of resources that could support large wildlife populations
Tongass National Forest surrounding the area is America's largest national forest at 16.7 million acres
Planning a Visit
Prince of Wales Island is accessible via Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Ketchikan or small aircraft. Hydaburg itself is a small community where visitors should respect local residents and private property. Much of the surrounding area falls within Tongass National Forest lands open to public access.
Craig, Alaska, approximately 45 miles northeast
Summer months (June-August) offer the most accessible conditions, though Alaska's frequent rain and muddy ground can actually be advantageous for finding track evidence.
Related Sites
Featured In1 episode
"Alaska's Bigfoot Island"[2]
Finding Bigfoot · Jul 10, 2011
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia