What to Do and Not to Do when Visiting the Patterson-Gimlin Film Site in Bluff Creek

PGF frame showing the true colors found there in October.

BIGFOOT'S BLOG, Late-June 2015 Edition

How to Treat the PGF Film Site at Bluff Creek When Visiting: Keep in Mind, You are Walking on History.

Please see below for some of the things you really should avoid doing on the Film Site, if you care at all about Bigfoot and its history in Bluff Creek. Bluff Creek Project is currently working with the USFS and its new chairman, Merv George, to get the site declared an Historical Landmark.

Recall the red color behind the film subject, around the front and eastern side of the PGF site Big Tree? Those are vine maples, a lovely shrubby tree that goes from green in the summer, to pale yellowish-green in the fall, finally turning red when the cold of winter begins to set in come later October or November. These leaves are part of how we know that the film was not shot in August or September, as some claim. It shows a scene that is in correspondence with the story told by Patterson and Gimlin. Hence, these trees are evidence. When we finally located the PGF site, part of what verified it for us was the vine maples there in front of the signature Douglas fir, beside the broadleaf maple that provides the yellow color in the film. That latter maple is still there and growing, nearly fifty years later. In the same spot, the progeny of the PGF vine maples stood.

The Big Tree in its context. Thankfully there are a few vine maples left on the spot to the right and higher up the bank. You can see them here. This and following photographs by Steven Streufert, copyright 2015.

Well, upon our return to the site a few days ago we found that these important trees had been amateurishly sawn down. About the Big Tree we found four stumps of old vine maple, with their trunks and branches senselessly left in front of the tree, blocking foot access to the trunk. Someone had cut these down (we know who, as they were caught on our trail cameras), hoping to get a better photograph of the Big Tree. Maybe they were thinking of doing a film recreation, but that is impossible without major logging of the trees now covering the former barren sandbar.

Senseless destruction of life and history.

Above is the Big Tree as it stands today, also showing historic vine maple trees cut down by a certain noted Bigfoot researcher, destroying part of the evidence of the site. I counted at least 35 annual growth rings, making these trees the progeny of those seen in the PGF.

Our guests from Arkansas, supporters of the Bluff Creek Project,
who came with us to the site last week. Here they are having a
tough time getting through the downed vine maple branches.

The sawn stumps. These trees are the kind that provided the red color in the background of the PGF.

At least 35 years of growth, almost as old as the film itself.
These grew from the same patch you see at the bottom
 of the Big Tree in the film.

If you go to the PGF site, treat the fragile artifacts of history with care. That includes the old stumps seen in the Bigfoot film. These have been there as they are since they were cut as part of the salvage logging done after the massive 1964 Flood, between 1965 and 1966. These are key artifacts on the film site, helping to establish our documentation and proof of the site, but also useful in determining the location and size of the film subject.

The Big Stump, to left of subject in Frame 352 et seq.

The Tall, or "Smiley" Stump, to right of subject in Frame 352 et seq. 
Showing significant degradation from people leaning & sitting on it.

And the log piles, too.  Don't walk or sit on these, if you can avoid it at all. They are seen in the film and are part of our modern survey map. These are old growth fir logs left behind on the sandbar by the 1964 Flood.

Part of the debris pile behind which the subject walks after
Frame 352, at the front of the current sandbar.

Log pile seen in back and east of film subject. Showing significant
degradation from people walking across the logs.

Don't do anything to this big leaf maple. It provided the yellow color seen behind the subject in the film, and is likely 65+ years old. It can be identified as a young, spindly tree in good images from the PGF.

Big Leaf Maple on the Site.

The sandbar is eroding around its edges. Some is caused by the creek and weather, but a lot of it is due to humans walking around. Do note the established trail up to the top of it from the creek, and avoid climbing on its edges if you can. Every step takes another few inches away from history.

Natural erosion, caused by the creek, took down a major amount of sand and gravel at the crook in the creek near the first sighting spot.

Also... Don't Litter. Here's a measurement two-by-four that someone left behind. If you're wondering about our colored survey flags, we're done with those, and we'll be doing a more professional survey this summer, so we'll be removing all old flagging currently on the site other than a few trail markers.

The previous year. Was it really necessary to destroy these gorgeous trees?

Patty's trackway, up to frame 352. We've cleared dead and low-hanging branches somewhat, but we avoid taking out living trees and shrubs. Don't conduct major excavations here, or remove large quantities of the sand on the historic sandbar. That fine dark grey silt sand you find just beneath the forest duff is what Patty walked upon. It was put there by the major 1964 Flood. It, too, is part of the history.

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BLUFF CREEK PROJECT,

Technology in the Field. Low impact, high tech.

For your own safety, be bear-aware and keep an eye out for mountain lions. We are monitoring these with our camera project. Please do not harm them, either.

You can read all about the film site on this blog. Just put "Bluff Creek into the search box here... bigfootbooksblog.blogspot.com

Visit the new BLUFF CREEK PROJECT BLOG here: http://bluffcreekproject.blogspot.com/
Links to our YouTube page and the videos we've gotten of wildlife in the area and on the site are provided there.

The Big Tree today, a massive old-growth Douglas fir.

BIGFOOT EVIDENCE blogged about this topic, based upon Jamie's piece on the Bluff Creek Project Blog. Go see the article and comment here: http://bigfootevidence.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-famous-pattersongimlin-film-site.html 

Jamie and Me at the berm on the hill above the film site. Someone jumped the gun and declared the area a "Bigfoot World Heritage Site." These signs are entertaining, but the USFS doesn't really like them. Every year they appear around Bluff Creek, put up by unknown persons.  Photo courtesy of Jamie S. and Bluff Creek Project Blog.

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BLUFF CREEK COMPANY/RESORT Purchased by Yurok Tribe. Improvements to Be Made, Historic Company Store to Be Demolished.

Bluff Creek Company Store, in 2009. Photo by Steven Streufert

BIGFOOT'S BLOG, NEWS FLASH, JUNE 21, 2015

(10-22-15, UPDATES BELOW)

The BLUFF CREEK PROJECT page on Facebook just received notice from a friend that the historic spot at the bottom of the Bluff Creek watershed, once known as the Bluff Creek Company and lately known as the Bluff Creek Resort, has been purchased by the Yurok Tribe next door in Weitchpec, and is going to be redone for modern times. Unfortunately, the old store where Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin stopped for supplies, along with all the early Bigfooters, will be demolished. In the last few years the building has lost all of its historic signage and has begun to collapse in on itself.

The Resort store as it appeared after gas pumps were added in 1976.
Photo from Phil Smith, Sr. via Roger Knights.

Here's the message we received:

Rollie Nelson, Jun 20th, 10:45pm
"Update bluff creek resort has been sold to the Yurok Tribe. 
Expect improvements in services soon. 

The resort greatly will be improved over the next few years to meet a greater number of needs for the locals and the guests of the resort.

This will include but is not limited to: 
improved river access via boat ramp. 
Interpretative trails. Guided river tours. Rafting. Possible Ziplines. Fishing and bait supplies. Small engine repair basic service auto shop with tire changer. Fuel.

The store: The original structure of the historic bluff creek store is sadly a total loss due to years of neglect. Yurok tribe plans to demolish the old store and build a new store in its place. Heart breaking I know but too many years of neglect has made to structure totally unsalvagable.

The resort just changed hands on the eighteenth so please be patient with us and we will get bluff creek back on the map."

Our reply:
Bluff Creek Project, Sent by Steven Streufert, Jun 21st, 4:21pm
Rollie, thanks for the updates! We're pleased to hear that Mr. Smith has finally found a buyer, and a great local one at that. It's sad to hear about the final fate of the old historical store, though. If you have any more or any links you could share that would be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks! Steve, Bigfoot Books, Willow Creek.

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More photos from 2009. Keep in mind that the store structure has since fallen into total decreptitude. All photos following by Steven Streufert, save as noted.

Myself with the poor old store, 2009, photo snapped by Craig Woolheater with my camera.

Another angle of view.

The old gas pump platform with the now tall cedar tree Phil Smith's wife planted back in 1976.

The Resort office, building still in nice shape.

Ruins of the part of the old Greasy Spoon Restaurant, behind the store building.

Members of the Believe-It Tour, Michael Esordi and Craig Woolheater, speak with the owner.

Here is the Company Store in 2010, missing its signs, and starting to collapse in the middle. I'll try to get you a current photo of it, as its condition is much worse today in 2015.

Here is the location, "X" marking the spot of the BCCS. Just north is the Bluff Creek Road. Right at where the bridge crosses Bluff at top one may see the now closed old, wiggly Bluff Creek Road segment that the old-timers used.

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View Roger Knights' Photobucket collection of old photos, along with notes from Phil Smith Sr., the owner of the Bluff Creek Resort at its end, here:
http://s7.photobucket.com/user/RogerKni/library/BF%20BCCS%20Photos?sort=6&page=1

See my previous blog posts about the BLUFF CREEK COMPANY here:
http://bigfootbooksblog.blogspot.com/search?q=bluff+creek+company

UPDATES, 10-22-15!!
"Rollie Nelson 6:32pm Jun 21
I'm pushing to have the new store at least appear simular to the old store.
I've got a little support in this due to the simple fact that we want the business to succeed.
P.S. I think you might actually know the new manager at bluff creek. He is Ross Nelson formerly of the "Ray's" butcher shop in Hoopa.
Rollie Nelson 6:48pm Jun 21
The facilities at the resort are quite a bit dilapidated. That being said the tribe will need time in the resort will have to be rebuilt almost in it's entirety we are planning on doing this in stages so that the long term residents that are staying will not gave there lives totally disrupted. 
There are security issues that need to be addressed. 
The f---ing electric system is a f---ing nightmare. 
The gas system needs inspection. 
There are two individuals that have lived there eight years and they are fighting eviction. They have tons of tweaker junk piles in the old store the old shop and the small house between the shop and the store. They are slinging meth right in front of the resort. These things are just a few of the issues working against us at Another update...
Rollie Nelson June 21 at 10:05pm
Ross Nelson my brother is the new manager he does not have internet yet but that should change as soon as physically possible. The tribal website has not been updated and I don't know when that will happen. While there are a few issues to be resolved the resort is currently open. We have great hope for the new Bluff Creek resort. And we hope you all enjoy the improvements to come.". Rollie Nelson 6:50pm Jun 21
Internet will be up at Bluff Creek soon and then my sister in law will be all about the facebook updates
Rollie Nelson, June 21 at 10:05pm
Ross Nelson my brother is the new manager he does not have internet yet but that should change as soon as physically possible. The tribal website has not been updated and I don't know when that will happen. While there are a few issues to be resolved the resort is currently open. We have great hope for the new bluff creek resort. And we hope you all enjoy the improvements to come."

Tweakers at Bluff Creek?? Uh oh!

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Happy Summer Solstice to All!



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Corrections and Clarifications to Peter Byrne's Patterson-Gimlin Film Site and Bluff Creek Map

BIGFOOT'S BLOG, EARLY JUNE, 2015 EDITION

Here are some corrections and clarifications I had to make to Peter Byrne's ridiculous PGF Film Site/Bluff Creek map (from his 1976 book, "The Search for Big Foot") so that some sense could be made of it. I think Byrne was intentionally obfuscating the location to keep it to himself. What other explanation can there be? Also, I interviewed him a while back (HERE) before we found the PGF site, and his directions to the location were quite far downstream from the actual spot. It is stuff like this that made it difficult for us to relocate the site. Distances are totally deceptive in the Byrne map. Actually, it's one mile from the first bridge to the second, and then three miles up the creek to the film site.

Click to Enlarge. Left to right, Byrne 1976, USFS 1974, USFS 1952

Here is the Byrne map by itself, from his out-of-print book.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM

Here are the other two maps, the earlier one first. Note the location of "Ferris Camp" is the PGF site. "McDuff Camp" was at the location of the current bridge over Bluff Creek, one mile up from Louse Camp. We think that this is where Patterson and Gimlin camped, just up the creek a ways from the road, according to what Bob Gimlin told me in Yakima last year. "We got to the bottom of the road, where it meets the creek, and then we just crossed the creek. It was right there," Bob said. Right there across the creek would have been over a ford at that point, as there was no bridge there at the time. The ford would have crossed over the creek and headed upstream on a jeep trail grade road that went along the creek all the way past the film site back then.

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