Prince of Wales Island
Prince of Wales Island is Alaska's third-largest island, covering over 2,200 square miles of dense temperate rainforest in the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska. The island's rugged terrain includes old-growth Sitka spruce and western hemlock forests, abandoned mining sites from the early 1900s, and countless hidden valleys that have harbored reports of large, bipedal creatures for generations. Tlingit oral traditions speak of forest giants - shapeshifting beings that blur the line between the natural and supernatural worlds. The island's remote location and challenging terrain make it an ideal refuge for an elusive primate, while its network of abandoned mines and logging roads provides investigators with unique access points into some of Alaska's most pristine wilderness.
Timeline
Tlingit oral traditions describe encounters with powerful shapeshifting forest beings
Mining crews working copper claims reported massive footprints and night screams in remote valleys
Expedition Bigfoot conducts extensive multi-episode investigation of the island's cryptid activity
Notable Sightings
- early 1900s· copper miners working remote claims
Workers reported finding enormous humanlike footprints around their camps and hearing terrifying screams echoing through the valleys at night. Some crews reportedly abandoned profitable claims after repeated encounters with a massive, dark figure moving through the forest.
These were experienced miners familiar with all local wildlife including brown bears. The consistency of reports across multiple independent work sites, combined with physical track evidence, suggests encounters with something beyond known animals.
- mid-to-late 20th century· logging crews and forest service personnel
Multiple reports of a large bipedal creature observed moving through the dense forest canopy and along ridgelines, often accompanied by powerful vocalizations that carried for miles.
Forest workers spend their careers in these woods and know the difference between a bear standing briefly on hind legs and a creature moving bipedally with purpose and agility. The vocalizations described don't match any known wildlife in Southeast Alaska.
- 2000s-present· hunters and recreational visitors
Ongoing reports of massive footprints in muddy areas, wood knocking sounds, and glimpses of large dark figures moving through the forest with surprising stealth for their size.
Alaska hunters are among the most experienced wildlife observers in North America. Their descriptions consistently detail features and behaviors that don't align with known animals in the region.
What the Shows Found
- Expedition BigfootS04E01-S04E07
Did: The team conducted an extensive multi-episode investigation including thermal imaging surveys, audio analysis of reported vocalizations, exploration of abandoned mine shafts and tunnel systems, deployment of trail cameras in high-activity areas, and nighttime tracking expeditions through dense forest terrain.
Found: The investigation captured compelling thermal signatures, recorded unexplained vocalizations, and documented evidence suggesting a large creature was actively avoiding their detection methods. The team noted sophisticated evasion behaviors and found physical sign including possible track impressions.
What the Science Says
Prince of Wales Island's ecosystem could theoretically support a large omnivorous primate. The island hosts abundant salmon runs, berry patches, and diverse plant life that would provide ample nutrition for a creature of substantial size. While brown bears inhabit the island and could account for some sightings, experienced observers consistently describe bipedal locomotion, body proportions, and behaviors that don't match ursine patterns.
Researchers analyzing footprint casts from similar Pacific Northwest environments have noted consistent morphological features - including dermal ridge patterns and midtarsal break characteristics - that are difficult to explain as hoaxes or misidentifications. The island's dense forest canopy and rugged terrain would provide excellent concealment for an elusive species, while the network of caves and abandoned mines could offer shelter during harsh weather.
The challenge remains the lack of definitive physical evidence despite decades of reports. However, the consistency of encounters across different time periods and witness types, combined with the island's pristine habitat and limited human presence, keeps this location among the most promising areas for continued research.
Lore & Fun Facts
Prince of Wales Island contains some of the oldest trees in Alaska, with Sitka spruces over 700 years old
The island has the largest road system in Southeast Alaska, with over 1,500 miles of logging roads providing access to remote areas
Tlingit tradition holds that forest beings can take human form and are neither entirely good nor evil, but powerful and unpredictable
The island's abandoned copper mines create a unique ecosystem of caves and tunnels that could provide shelter for large mammals
Planning a Visit
Prince of Wales Island is accessible by ferry from Ketchikan or by charter plane. Much of the island is within the Tongass National Forest, allowing public access, though some areas require permits for camping. Visitors should inform local authorities of their plans due to the remote and potentially dangerous terrain.
Craig, Alaska
Late spring through early fall offers the best weather and accessibility, though winter investigations may be rewarding as tracks are more easily preserved in snow.
Related Sites
Olympic Peninsula
Both are Pacific coastal temperate rainforests with similar ecosystem and cryptid reports
Chugach National Forest
Another Alaska location with comparable wilderness terrain and indigenous traditions
Six Rivers National Forest
Pacific Northwest old-growth forest habitat with established Bigfoot activity
Featured In7 episodes
Bigfoot Island
Expedition Bigfoot · Aug 30, 2023
Demon in the Dark
Expedition Bigfoot · Sep 6, 2023
Tunnel of Terror
Expedition Bigfoot · Sep 13, 2023
Dual Pursuit
Expedition Bigfoot · Sep 20, 2023
Low Tide, High Danger
Expedition Bigfoot · Oct 11, 2023
Tracking Terror
Expedition Bigfoot · Oct 18, 2023
Nocturnal Nightmare
Expedition Bigfoot · Oct 25, 2023
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia