Full Version: Tracks Found along Klamath River
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Hey everyone me and bigfoot dad just got back from Six Rivers National Forest along the klamath river and found 4 sets of tracks between 11 inches and 18 inches long and from 5 to 6 1/2 inches across at the heel we found these where aikins creek meets the klamath river we set up bait traps last night but were undestirbed this morning stay tuned for pics real soon.
Kick butt! post those pics!
Very cool, congrats on the track find. 
Can't wait to see the pictures.
hey everyone Bigfoot dad will be posting his pics today so stand by.
Great work Sean and BD! Looking forward to the pics. Keep plugging away.
BB
BB
Without giving too much away, how did you pick the spot? Was it based on previous field research? Did you interview locals at all to narrow down the spot? Or did you guys just say, "Hey, lets go up north and see what happens."?
BB
BB
there was a reported sighting recently where some guys had camped here last November and had vocalizations and rock throwing during the night so we stoped and did a search of the area and low and behold tracks all over the place so we decided to set up camp and stay for the night. it was a pretty calm night a light breeze and I believe Tom told me it had droped to 35 degrees sat night the only really strange thing that happened during the night was at around 2:30 am I had finally started to doze off to sleep when I felt this really intense pressure on my left side pushing down against my rib cage through the tent it really startled me out of my sleep and I was so freaked out I couldnt even scream out to Tom or any thing I tried to but I was kinda paralized and couldnt get any words to come out but I did get ahold of my gun and then it just stoped this all took place in like 3 or 4 seconds and I was still kinda groggy from being asleep and so I started to think it was all just a bad dream and it left me feeling like one of those dreams where you fall and wake up from the falling feeling. well I ended up just moving away from the wall of the tent and going back to sleep but the wierd thing is the next morning my ribs were sore in fact they are still a little sore today so who knows it all just felt so sureal so I guess I will chalk it up to another experience. the pics from tom should be coming any time now and just to let you know these prints were almost all in soft sand so there is no real detail other than me messuring the length and width so we just want to show you guys what we found so enjoy and ask questions if you like.
Here is the footprint impression we found along the Klamath River on Saturday.
(3/27/04). This photo was taken at 1:34 pm, facing southeast.
and like Sean said, we chose this spot because of the Nov.2003 incident we read about on the BFRO database. Plus, you are 1/2 mile south of Bluff Creek...and the whole area very good for investigating.
(3/27/04). This photo was taken at 1:34 pm, facing southeast.
and like Sean said, we chose this spot because of the Nov.2003 incident we read about on the BFRO database. Plus, you are 1/2 mile south of Bluff Creek...and the whole area very good for investigating.
Here's a link to the Nov. 2003 incident....hoots, wood knocking, rock slides and whistles. After seeing where these guys camped, I would have been unnerved by the rock slides. The campsites were right underneath the cliff-like hillside. We camped down by the river where they smelled a "skunky odor".
http://bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=7452
and here's another picture. I call these footprint impressions for obvious reasons. But in sand, this is what you will find. The sandy part of this riverside was only accessed by crossing approx. 100 yards of rocks and boulders and a gravel incline.
The sand was along a pool at the mouth of Aikens Creek where it joins the Klamath River.
http://bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=7452
and here's another picture. I call these footprint impressions for obvious reasons. But in sand, this is what you will find. The sandy part of this riverside was only accessed by crossing approx. 100 yards of rocks and boulders and a gravel incline.
The sand was along a pool at the mouth of Aikens Creek where it joins the Klamath River.
And, one more, a heel impression in the sand near camp leading to the river.
It had rained for 3 days and a light drizzle Sat. morning. Sat and Sun were sunny and warm. This impression breaks through the wet layer of sand and led us to believe these were made that morning...reasoning that the rain had washed out anything prior to Saturday.
BTW, the measurements are:
top photo: 18" long, 6" heel
2nd photo: 16" long, 5 1/2" heel
this photo: 6" across the heel.
It had rained for 3 days and a light drizzle Sat. morning. Sat and Sun were sunny and warm. This impression breaks through the wet layer of sand and led us to believe these were made that morning...reasoning that the rain had washed out anything prior to Saturday.
BTW, the measurements are:
top photo: 18" long, 6" heel
2nd photo: 16" long, 5 1/2" heel
this photo: 6" across the heel.
Excellent work guys.
Thanx,
TWQ
Thanx,
TWQ
BigfootDad:
Is that another track I see at the bottom of your first picture?
Is that another track I see at the bottom of your first picture?
How systematically had you examined the area the tracks were found on previous occasions? Was any attempt made to follow the trackways? Any indications of toes?
Looks interesting. Thanks for posting.
Looks interesting. Thanks for posting.
Hey, Tug. Yeah, that sure looks like toes to me.....now. There were lots of impressions in the sand and we tried our best to not step on anything - we were circumnavigating the sand bar, but we also thought the few we found were the best. But there you go. I know no one was barefoot down here after crossing the rocks and the trashy, broken-bottled drinking spot...we were camped about 40 yards from there.
And we had never been here before. We arrived and looked for sign and locations that might hold sign. Yeah, we have a "toe" picture....it's human looking but we think it could be big toe extended, other four curled as it navigates the rocks. We'll post but don't want to take a beating.
We plan to return later this Spring and in July for the BFF outing. July 15-18.
So, thanks for the comments. We'll always share our findings. I've only been going out since the symposium.
And we had never been here before. We arrived and looked for sign and locations that might hold sign. Yeah, we have a "toe" picture....it's human looking but we think it could be big toe extended, other four curled as it navigates the rocks. We'll post but don't want to take a beating.
We plan to return later this Spring and in July for the BFF outing. July 15-18.
So, thanks for the comments. We'll always share our findings. I've only been going out since the symposium.
Okay, here's the "toes" picture......what do you think?
Could it be curling those other four?
Go easy, now! We're nice guys, really!
Could it be curling those other four?
Go easy, now! We're nice guys, really!
BigfootDad did you happen to measure across the toe area on that shot? From the outside of the big toe to the outside of the little toe?
The first couple of pics don't seem to show enough detail for me. Not sure what to think.
The pic of the print that broke the moist crust is interesting. Something or someone would have appeared to have stepped there.
The pic of the toe prints seems out of proportion when you scale it off the water bottle. Are the toe prints that much smaller than the other impressions? Looking at the water bottle and comparing it with the other pics, they seem much smaller.
The pic of the print that broke the moist crust is interesting. Something or someone would have appeared to have stepped there.
The pic of the toe prints seems out of proportion when you scale it off the water bottle. Are the toe prints that much smaller than the other impressions? Looking at the water bottle and comparing it with the other pics, they seem much smaller.
Moregon, I don't know if we measured it. I'll know for sure when I review the video tomorrow. But here's the bottle's specs for comparison.
The water bottle measures 8 and 1/4" long and 2 and 1/2" wide....
so, you're right, Titus. We're looking at a small foot. But, what about that weird shape to the big toe?
And, I'm not saying these are the kind of tracks to open a bottle of Bigfoot Ale over....To me they say, "You've got activity here...activity this morning....potentially 3 different individuals....and it's a good spot to camp....hopefully, you'll document something of their presence...a vocalization exchange, some tree knocking, maybe even some fresher prints at the food pile....ultimately, a intimidation demonstration that sends us jumping in the truck at 3 am.
...cameras rolling the whole time, of course!
I'd just wish that the rain had stopped Thursday and we had 2 nights....later this Spring, I won't go unless the weather channel shows 2 good nights or not as big of a front coming through....In any case, thanks for the comments...keep 'em coming...Sean will be back tonight around 11:30 pacific......
- Tom
The water bottle measures 8 and 1/4" long and 2 and 1/2" wide....
so, you're right, Titus. We're looking at a small foot. But, what about that weird shape to the big toe?
And, I'm not saying these are the kind of tracks to open a bottle of Bigfoot Ale over....To me they say, "You've got activity here...activity this morning....potentially 3 different individuals....and it's a good spot to camp....hopefully, you'll document something of their presence...a vocalization exchange, some tree knocking, maybe even some fresher prints at the food pile....ultimately, a intimidation demonstration that sends us jumping in the truck at 3 am.
...cameras rolling the whole time, of course! I'd just wish that the rain had stopped Thursday and we had 2 nights....later this Spring, I won't go unless the weather channel shows 2 good nights or not as big of a front coming through....In any case, thanks for the comments...keep 'em coming...Sean will be back tonight around 11:30 pacific......
- Tom
QUOTE(BigfootDad @ Mar 29 2004, 05:22 PM)
Okay, here's the "toes" picture......what do you think?
Could it be curling those other four?
Go easy, now! We're nice guys, really!
Could it be curling those other four?
Go easy, now! We're nice guys, really!
Excellent picture regardless of 'what' made it.
Actually, that picture brings up a 'thought' I've had for a while and not sure if it's been discussed in here much. Note how the toes don't 'dig in' to the sand.While reading that 'run-down' on Bob Titmus in another thread, this paragraph reminded me of something I distinctly noticed about MY bare footprints made in, say, the wet but firm tide-waning beach sand at the ocean.
QUOTE
Those tracks were not in soft dirt like those on the road, but in hard-packed wet sand, yet they averaged an inch in depth, making it impossible to dismiss them as being easy to fake. The casts Bob made then, and a year later on the same sandbar, are still possibly the best ever obtained anywhere.
When you walk barefoot (or even shoed) in that type of wet but semi-hard sand, you usually sink a little, enough to make a clear, vivid impression BUT when you are almost finished with the step, your toes definitely 'dig-in' and then 'dig-up' that last part of sand as you use your toes to give you that last 'push off' AND the sand get's 'flung' into the air and spread all over the print you just made. In simple terms, the rear part of the print is CLEAR and precise and the front part a bit 'blurry' and 'dishelved' because of the sand being 'dug up' then 'flung'. NOW...if you walk DIFFERENTLY, say like how Bigfoot is noted to walk with the bent knees etc., you dont get that 'toe push off sand fling' thing. The print is quite clear front to back and definitely doesn't have that deep dug in toe imprint.
Now, I know that there has been prints found that have deeper toe impressions etc. BUT a good portion of the prints/casts that I have seen (from my armchair
) over the years (and like the one above) DO NOT have that deeper toe impression NOR that 'blurry' dishelved look at the front with accompanying 'flung' dirt/sand spread out over the rest of the print. Having imitated that walk (or tried to) it seems to me that the noticeable and documented 'gait' of Bigfoot isn't something that can be easily and consistently faked nor something that would CONSISTENTLY be noticed if it wasn't in fact a REAL being with such natural tendencies DOING IT. Anyway, just a thought I had. 
"Harry"
I had Bigfootdad send me the original size so I could get a closer look at them. here is some cropped but original pixel size photos of the prints. I'll try this first one to see if it's too large, I may have to srink it a bit.
Tom, I hope you don't mind me doing this?
This is the original 16" print
Tom, I hope you don't mind me doing this?
This is the original 16" print
This is the 18" print
This is the heel impression. I have some red lines pointing out some lines (dermal ridges??) I don't know what relation this print is to the "Toes" print but in the that print, I found lines but some the lines in the toe print looked like it could have been someone in socks. I'll talk more about that later.
The reason this one is cropped so long is because I think I can see toe digs up top (see red lines) The line on the left is pointing out some shadowing around the rock, showing pressure had been applied to it at one time.
The reason this one is cropped so long is because I think I can see toe digs up top (see red lines) The line on the left is pointing out some shadowing around the rock, showing pressure had been applied to it at one time.
This is the "Toes" print. I had found many lines in this photo (see red lines). Some look like they are cross-hatched (like a sock pattern) Someone having socks on might not leave deep toe prints because the socks keep the toes together. Is the river high enough for kayakers or canoeing?
Again, I cropped this one long because I see some of the heel impression down lower with more lines
Don't take my word for it, this was just a quick look before I run off to work. I'll look at them closer tonight.
Cut4sign
Again, I cropped this one long because I see some of the heel impression down lower with more lines
Don't take my word for it, this was just a quick look before I run off to work. I'll look at them closer tonight.
Cut4sign
One last one of the possible toe prints that someone pointed out from the original fist photo. For your veiwing pleasure.
[edit] oops, double post...
but let me reply to the direction question and the toes location in relation to the heel. They were about 10 yards apart and heading in different directions. The heel is heading northeast towards the river and the toes were heading south, southeast, but back towards where the heel impression was. We found the toes as we were exiting the 100-yards or so of rocks between the sand bar and the high-water river bank where we camped. The 18" print was the last thing we found and this was heading west, northwest on the incline from the rocky section to the flat site where we camped.
thanks for the exchange. It's good to hear your comments. It all helps, esp. for next time we're out.
but let me reply to the direction question and the toes location in relation to the heel. They were about 10 yards apart and heading in different directions. The heel is heading northeast towards the river and the toes were heading south, southeast, but back towards where the heel impression was. We found the toes as we were exiting the 100-yards or so of rocks between the sand bar and the high-water river bank where we camped. The 18" print was the last thing we found and this was heading west, northwest on the incline from the rocky section to the flat site where we camped.
thanks for the exchange. It's good to hear your comments. It all helps, esp. for next time we're out.
Great job, Cut4Sign...and no, not at all, that's what this section of the BFF is for!
and, Harry, thanks for the comments. not personally, but thanks for the addition to the thread. I had not read that Titmus statement, and I'm still real curious about the Big Toe (Hi Monte!) in relation to the other four.
and, again, you know, you go out looking for that perfect, foot-shaped impression or to record a return vocalization or ultimately, to have that camera ready and running at the right moment, but I've (and we, Sean and I) got to learn to take a little more time with impressions like these. Oh, well, the learning curve is still climbing...upwards, I think!
Here's a pic of the site.....looking southeast, and downstream along the Klamath River. Aikens Creek comes in from the right of the picture and it's a pool formed at that junction that has this sandbank on its northern flank.
and, Harry, thanks for the comments. not personally, but thanks for the addition to the thread. I had not read that Titmus statement, and I'm still real curious about the Big Toe (Hi Monte!) in relation to the other four.
and, again, you know, you go out looking for that perfect, foot-shaped impression or to record a return vocalization or ultimately, to have that camera ready and running at the right moment, but I've (and we, Sean and I) got to learn to take a little more time with impressions like these. Oh, well, the learning curve is still climbing...upwards, I think!
Here's a pic of the site.....looking southeast, and downstream along the Klamath River. Aikens Creek comes in from the right of the picture and it's a pool formed at that junction that has this sandbank on its northern flank.
and, kayaking, yeah, the river was definitely running well. We did not see any rafters or kayakers on Saturday or Sunday morning on the Klamath at this point, but as we drove home, a few people were rafting/kayaking on the Trinity about 20 miles east of Willow Creek.
photo of Aikens Creek looking upstream over the pool....southeast.
photo of Aikens Creek looking upstream over the pool....southeast.
Hiya Tom!
Great work and cool find! Awesome....
Sorry man, this post almost slipped by me.
Bet you can't wait too get back up there!!!
Rock on..
Monte
Great work and cool find! Awesome....
Sorry man, this post almost slipped by me.
Bet you can't wait too get back up there!!!
Rock on..
Monte
QUOTE(BigToe @ Mar 30 2004, 11:11 AM)
Hiya Tom!
Great work and cool find! Awesome....
Sorry man, this post almost slipped by me.
Bet you can't wait too get back up there!!!
Rock on..
Monte
Great work and cool find! Awesome....
Sorry man, this post almost slipped by me.
Bet you can't wait too get back up there!!!
Rock on..
Monte
thanks, Monte! and next time, I'm picking YOU up on the big bootleg swing north...or you can meet me in Williams at 4:30 am!! no, I'm serious!! the time to travel from the Bay area to Willow Creek is from 2:30 am...gets you into Redding by 6:45 and dawn is breaking as you begin the 100 mile trek across hwy 299 into Willow Creek.
That's wild, about GreenRogue's ribs I mean!!! Wow.
Im still not sure what exactly happened to me I guess it could have been a dream but it seemed so real and when I finally started to get my bearings after waking I did have my pistol in my hand so I am still kinda leaning towards an investigating touch by a creature, it was also around this time that Tom related to me that he had heard something and looked at his watch and it was around 2:30 am as well this was an intense 24 hour period for us we got alot of work done and found alot of sign I will be posting very soon some of my pics of some strange Skat we found and I dont know if any of you guys have ever found skat where it was evident that what ever left it was eating moss because the skat was full of moss and there was alot of skat left I also got a great pic of a tree twisted not just snapped but wrenched till it broke I need to down load some kodak software and then I will post those pics as well.
Looking forward to that Sean!!
I am talking with Sean and just reviewed my video....the toes are 4 and 1/2" across...we tape measure them in the video....
FYI....
Tom
and now, here's a tree break found Sunday morning at 9:46 am approx. 1/3 of a mile down Fish Lake Road, on the western side, up a small embankment and about 20 yards into the forest.
FYI....
Tom
and now, here's a tree break found Sunday morning at 9:46 am approx. 1/3 of a mile down Fish Lake Road, on the western side, up a small embankment and about 20 yards into the forest.
Hey you two, good work and congrats!!
Great pics, and GR, I hope you actually did have some type of "encounter" where something was investigating YOU.
Keep it up, and if you have anything else to add, don't be shy about it!
BLACKTALON
Great pics, and GR, I hope you actually did have some type of "encounter" where something was investigating YOU.
Keep it up, and if you have anything else to add, don't be shy about it!
BLACKTALON
QUOTE(BigfootDad @ Mar 30 2004, 12:40 PM)
and now, here's a tree break found Sunday morning at 9:46 am...
That tree looks dead to me, Dad. Probably blown over by the wind...
JMO.
QUOTE(bipto @ Mar 30 2004, 01:43 PM)
QUOTE(BigfootDad @ Mar 30 2004, 12:40 PM)
and now, here's a tree break found Sunday morning at 9:46 am...
That tree looks dead to me, Dad. Probably blown over by the wind...
JMO.
I'm fine with that. I looked close and the wood seemed "fresh", you know, not dried out. But, I'm not defending it....you know how it is in that area and when you're walking along in the forest....Sean has a few more tree breaks to post...I video taped the others.....one is a good little twist!
Cool...hope you're enjoying the thread!
I'd like to see the one with a twist!
Just for comparison, this is a cast I made of My foot a while back to see how it would come out with Dental stone. This was before I read talk about dermal ridges. I dampened down an area of dirt in my back yard and simply took a step through it. The next post will show a close up of my dermal ridges and how easy it is to see them.
After hearing more and more about dermal ridges, I pulled this casting out and low and behold... the ridges showed up quite well!
My point is that we should be casting more and more prints to be comparing Dermal ridges if anything else. Even if it's not a perfect, foot print to hang on the wall. Someone may get information from it. I'm trying Hydrocal to see if it picks up as much detail as Dental stone. Watering the garden as we speak My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I'm used to it.
Cut4sign
My point is that we should be casting more and more prints to be comparing Dermal ridges if anything else. Even if it's not a perfect, foot print to hang on the wall. Someone may get information from it. I'm trying Hydrocal to see if it picks up as much detail as Dental stone. Watering the garden as we speak
My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I'm used to it.Cut4sign
QUOTE(cut4sign @ Mar 30 2004, 05:25 PM)
Watering the garden as we speak
I'd do that, but I'd just end up with a great big chuck of ice...
QUOTE(bipto @ Mar 30 2004, 01:52 PM)
I'd like to see the one with a twist!
Bipto,
we may have to wait awhile. Just thought I'd let you know that. Sean probably won't be able to get those up tonight. But, as the Procrastinator says on the Amanda show....can you tell I have an 8 yr old?
.....we'll see them.....EVENTUALLY!!!
ok, ok, nickelodeon humor has no place on this forum....
QUOTE(bipto @ Mar 30 2004, 05:35 PM)
QUOTE(cut4sign @ Mar 30 2004, 05:25 PM)
Watering the garden as we speak
I'd do that, but I'd just end up with a great big chuck of ice...
We've been having 65 to 75 degree weather hear in Colorado and it's been nice!
The funny thing about me watering the garden was that we don't have anything planted in it yet
Cut4sign,
At least your not doing what they did in Mysterious Encounters......Marking your territory!
BB
At least your not doing what they did in Mysterious Encounters......Marking your territory!
BB
QUOTE(GreenRogue @ Mar 29 2004, 03:36 PM)
at around 2:30 am I had finally started to doze off to sleep when I felt this really intense pressure on my left side pushing down against my rib cage through the tent it really startled me out of my sleep
well I ended up just moving away from the wall of the tent and going back to sleep but the wierd thing is the next morning my ribs were sore in fact they are still a little sore today so who knows
well I ended up just moving away from the wall of the tent and going back to sleep but the wierd thing is the next morning my ribs were sore in fact they are still a little sore today so who knows
Damn, that's some pretty weird stuff there GR.
The pictures of the tracks you guys found are very intersting, great work guys.
I wish I lived closer so I could join you on your next trip.
Update on my guess. After doing some walking through my damp garden, I've found that stocking feet show up much different then bare feet and most of my socks that I have in my drawer have patterns of braids that go from toe to heel and not so much cross-hatch. Not sure what the cross-hatch lines are from in the "Toe" photo.
Anyway, here is a picture of bare foot on the left and Stocking foot on the right. I cast them in Hydrocal to see if it picks up the dermals that showed before I cast them. It's drying now.
Cut4sign
Anyway, here is a picture of bare foot on the left and Stocking foot on the right. I cast them in Hydrocal to see if it picks up the dermals that showed before I cast them. It's drying now.
Cut4sign
Interesting tracks and circumstantial evidence guys. Maybe I missed it in the thread, but did you cast anything? Also, did you get any gait information - i.e. were there any sequential tracks where you could measure stride, step, or straddle?
Just to play the other side of the coin I'll ask a few devils advocate questions:
What suggests to you that these tracks were concurrant with your visit? Aging tracks on sandbars such as the one you found tracks on is a very tricky thing. Depending on if there are layers containing decaying plant matter (like moss), clay, and slit - a track may look "fresh" for weeks, even AFTER moderate rainfall. The "Toes" picture is impressed in just such a soil type.
Besides the "Toes" print, what suggests to you that the tracks found were barefoot? Did you see signs of flexion? Did you photograph any pressure cracks resulting from the impressed foot? If so, their pattern often yields a lot of information as to: 1. If it was in fact a bare, flexible foot. 2. If it was a person wearing "river shoes" such as kayakers often wear when scouting along river banks. 3. If it was a rigid, or semi-flexible foot such as a rubber boot.
How deep were the tracks impressed relative to your own bare feet? You can't compare booted feet to bare feet. If you take your boots off you will leave a much deeper impression.
You seemed to be wondering about the "Toe" track and its long big toe. Distinctive great toes of that shape have been associated with some reputable tracks. However, the declination angle of the toes seems more consistent with human. Many humans also have a great toe of that shape.
If you plan on making that area a regular stop, I might make a few suggestions:
On your next visit try and determine how many "types" of soil you find along the river bars. (It might be something like this: Sandy, sandy with some silt, silty sand, sand with organic matter and silt or clay.) Now for each type of soil you should make a track or two with your bare right or left foot (be consistent).
1. For each track you should photograph it from directly above in a standardized manner with tape measure in the frame.
2. Then measure Length, Ball and Heel in a standardized manner. For where to measure the heel I use 86% of the length - which corresponds to the rear of the talus bone on a typical human.
3. Record the measurements, and paste in the photos into a notebook with each track given it's own page.
Now before you go back you should find out how much precipitation has fallen between visits, and if possible what the peak wind speeds have been - wind moves a lot of sand around. Bring the note book with you the next time you visit.
When you return remeasure and rephotograph the same tracks again. Put the new photos in the notebook beside the first. You will be amazed at the difference, or lack there of. Try and visit every one to two weeks.
When you've done this exercise for a three or four months you will truely have a good handle on aging tracks you find in the area. It's harder than you would think. In our area there have been tracks that have persisted for over half a year thru freeze and thaw cycles and still looked fairly fresh. Also when there in significant clay/silt involved in the soil rain and runoff don't age tracks impressed in that material as fast as you would expect.
Forgive me for making the above suggestions. I offer them only because it seems like you are serious in your approach, and because you may have found a good area. Looking forward to hearing more. Thanks again for sharing. Cheers.
Just to play the other side of the coin I'll ask a few devils advocate questions:
What suggests to you that these tracks were concurrant with your visit? Aging tracks on sandbars such as the one you found tracks on is a very tricky thing. Depending on if there are layers containing decaying plant matter (like moss), clay, and slit - a track may look "fresh" for weeks, even AFTER moderate rainfall. The "Toes" picture is impressed in just such a soil type.
Besides the "Toes" print, what suggests to you that the tracks found were barefoot? Did you see signs of flexion? Did you photograph any pressure cracks resulting from the impressed foot? If so, their pattern often yields a lot of information as to: 1. If it was in fact a bare, flexible foot. 2. If it was a person wearing "river shoes" such as kayakers often wear when scouting along river banks. 3. If it was a rigid, or semi-flexible foot such as a rubber boot.
How deep were the tracks impressed relative to your own bare feet? You can't compare booted feet to bare feet. If you take your boots off you will leave a much deeper impression.
You seemed to be wondering about the "Toe" track and its long big toe. Distinctive great toes of that shape have been associated with some reputable tracks. However, the declination angle of the toes seems more consistent with human. Many humans also have a great toe of that shape.
If you plan on making that area a regular stop, I might make a few suggestions:
On your next visit try and determine how many "types" of soil you find along the river bars. (It might be something like this: Sandy, sandy with some silt, silty sand, sand with organic matter and silt or clay.) Now for each type of soil you should make a track or two with your bare right or left foot (be consistent).
1. For each track you should photograph it from directly above in a standardized manner with tape measure in the frame.
2. Then measure Length, Ball and Heel in a standardized manner. For where to measure the heel I use 86% of the length - which corresponds to the rear of the talus bone on a typical human.
3. Record the measurements, and paste in the photos into a notebook with each track given it's own page.
Now before you go back you should find out how much precipitation has fallen between visits, and if possible what the peak wind speeds have been - wind moves a lot of sand around. Bring the note book with you the next time you visit.
When you return remeasure and rephotograph the same tracks again. Put the new photos in the notebook beside the first. You will be amazed at the difference, or lack there of. Try and visit every one to two weeks.
When you've done this exercise for a three or four months you will truely have a good handle on aging tracks you find in the area. It's harder than you would think. In our area there have been tracks that have persisted for over half a year thru freeze and thaw cycles and still looked fairly fresh. Also when there in significant clay/silt involved in the soil rain and runoff don't age tracks impressed in that material as fast as you would expect.
Forgive me for making the above suggestions. I offer them only because it seems like you are serious in your approach, and because you may have found a good area. Looking forward to hearing more. Thanks again for sharing. Cheers.
colobus has some great pointers and we all can learn from them.
One thing that I would like to point out is that everyone seems to guess weight by the depth of the print. The cast of my garden tracks showed a great example of how that isn't always the best way to guess it. It's a little hard to see in the photo but in real life it's very obvious. The print on the left is bare foot and the one on the right is stocking foot. Only 2 inches apart and see how much different the depth is. Remember this was the same person (ME!) and only seconds apart.
It all depends on what's under the surface, the substrate soils, the moisture in it at "That" time and what the person is doing.
I know this isn't the place for "Tracking lessons" but it's relevant if Bigfootdad and Sean do more investigations. And I hope they do!
Cut4sign
One thing that I would like to point out is that everyone seems to guess weight by the depth of the print. The cast of my garden tracks showed a great example of how that isn't always the best way to guess it. It's a little hard to see in the photo but in real life it's very obvious. The print on the left is bare foot and the one on the right is stocking foot. Only 2 inches apart and see how much different the depth is. Remember this was the same person (ME!) and only seconds apart.
It all depends on what's under the surface, the substrate soils, the moisture in it at "That" time and what the person is doing.
I know this isn't the place for "Tracking lessons" but it's relevant if Bigfootdad and Sean do more investigations. And I hope they do!
Cut4sign
Bigfootdad,
Here's a good comparison photo of what you see in the field and what a good cast can bring out. Same heel print, big difference in what you can see!
Cut4sign
Here's a good comparison photo of what you see in the field and what a good cast can bring out. Same heel print, big difference in what you can see!
Cut4sign
hey guys I will try to answer your questions, first off it had rained all afternoon and the night before we got to the area and rafters and kayakers usually choose the trinity river and not the klamath as we did not see one rafter or any kind of water craft on the river while we were there. as for sequential tracks, there were tracks everywhere and as we tried to pick out the clearer tracks most of them headed towards area that was mostly rock if you see the pic of me standing in the red shirt then you'll see what I'm talking about and those rocks cover about almost 100 yards before you get to the water and the small area of the sand bar I feel that these tracks were probably made the night before or very early that morning because the rain was pretty constant and obviously we were not there to see what made them or we would have one hell of a video instead of some pics of tracks we found so if I can add to any of the questions please ask.
First, let me thank Colobus for his post....I've copied it and printed it and it now resides in my backpack next to Kathy Moskowitz's "Archaeological Data Methods".
and thank you, Cut4Sign for posting the clear images and your experimental work with tracks.....it's excellent and has been noted, too.
I do not recall sequential tracks. The closest thing to that was a series of 2 or 3 places in the bank leading to the little sandbar (from the 100 yards of rocks). Here it looked like something heavy had made a slide with each step down the bank and we did not measure stride. It was a very small stride like someone had reached their destination or was carefully negotiating the bank.
And Sean has already pointed out the weather pattern in the days leading up to Saturday....which led us to believe at least the heel impression was from that morning....and the others may have weathered during the 3 days of rain the region experienced or longer....
Human activity cannot be ruled out in this spot. It probably wasn't a kayaker, but someone fishing, bird watching or just enjoying the river's beauty during the rain or Saturday morning is possible. I don't know that they would have been barefoot, but it's speculation at this point. Hope we find something on our next trip in couple of months.
Thanks again, Colobus, because we are serious in our attempt to document this evidence. I don't know whether we'll return here on a monthly basis...more likely, bi-monthly. My other regret is not buying that 100 ft tape reel at Home Depot last Friday and making a map of where these 4 impressions were in relation to a landmark tree near our camp. The heel, 18" foot and toes were all within 30 yards of this landmark and the 16" foot was a hundred yards across the rocks out at the sandbar along Aikens Creek.
-- Tom
and thank you, Cut4Sign for posting the clear images and your experimental work with tracks.....it's excellent and has been noted, too.
I do not recall sequential tracks. The closest thing to that was a series of 2 or 3 places in the bank leading to the little sandbar (from the 100 yards of rocks). Here it looked like something heavy had made a slide with each step down the bank and we did not measure stride. It was a very small stride like someone had reached their destination or was carefully negotiating the bank.
And Sean has already pointed out the weather pattern in the days leading up to Saturday....which led us to believe at least the heel impression was from that morning....and the others may have weathered during the 3 days of rain the region experienced or longer....
Human activity cannot be ruled out in this spot. It probably wasn't a kayaker, but someone fishing, bird watching or just enjoying the river's beauty during the rain or Saturday morning is possible. I don't know that they would have been barefoot, but it's speculation at this point. Hope we find something on our next trip in couple of months.
Thanks again, Colobus, because we are serious in our attempt to document this evidence. I don't know whether we'll return here on a monthly basis...more likely, bi-monthly. My other regret is not buying that 100 ft tape reel at Home Depot last Friday and making a map of where these 4 impressions were in relation to a landmark tree near our camp. The heel, 18" foot and toes were all within 30 yards of this landmark and the 16" foot was a hundred yards across the rocks out at the sandbar along Aikens Creek.
-- Tom
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