Researchers Cast Detailed 16.5-Inch Bigfoot Track in Forest

Posted Wednesday, July 29, 2026

By Squatchable.com staff

A 16.5-inch footprint cast is making waves in the Sasquatch community, and the story behind how it was made is just as compelling as the evidence itself. Over on the YouTube channel Squatchin Adventures 50+ Years Around the Sun, a researcher known affectionately as "Pops" took a solo hike into Gypsy Meadows to preserve what could be one of the most impressive track finds of the season. The story begins with a group of investigators discovering a line of tracks measuring roughly 16.5 inches long by 6 inches wide, with a stride length of about 80 inches. Those numbers alone are enough to raise eyebrows, but the real drama came after a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area overnight. Most folks would assume the prints were washed away, but Pops wasn't willing to let this one go without a fight. He packed his casting materials back into the woods and tracked down the impression, which had been protected under some tree limbs and nestled in moss scattered with pine cones. That kind of substrate is gold for track casting because it holds detail incredibly well. Anyone who's spent time in the field knows that moss and soft forest duff can preserve dermal ridges, toe separations, and even skin texture if the conditions are right. What makes this video particularly gripping is the atmosphere Pops describes while waiting for the cast to cure. He sat there for over an hour, listening to the creek, the birds, and then a squirrel started barking. For seasoned investigators, squirrel vocalizations in the woods often signal that something larger is moving through the area. The squirrels act as natural alarm systems, and Pops clearly knew what that sound might mean. He stayed alert, kept his eyes open, and finished the job. The cast itself turned out beautifully. When the team examined it back at camp, they could see what appear to be five distinct digits, a large midfoot pad, and a well-defined heel area. An orthopedic surgeon who was part of the group even weighed in on the anatomy, noting how the front of the print remained flat while the heel area showed evidence of a heavy step-down and push-off. That kind of professional perspective adds weight to the find, especially when you're dealing with skeptics who question whether such prints could be faked. One of the most fascinating details is that the investigators counted between 7 and 10 tracks in the line, all measuring around 16.5 inches. A single large print can be explained away, but a consistent trackway of that size is much harder to dismiss. Trackways tell a story about gait, speed, and the biomechanics of whatever made them, and this one suggests a tall, heavy-bodied bipedal traveler moving through the area. The video also touches on the upcoming Bigfoot Festival, where Pops mentioned he plans to attend. If you're heading to one of these gatherings, keep an eye out for this cast, because it sounds like it might end up on display. For anyone interested in footprint casting, this video is worth watching for the technique alone. Pops walks through the entire process, from mixing the casting material to waiting for it to set, to carefully extracting it from the substrate without breaking it. He even improvised a little shade structure with branches when light rain started to threaten the curing process. That kind of patience and attention to detail is what separates a good cast from a great one. Gypsy Meadows has been a location of interest for a while now, and finds like this only add to its reputation. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just curious about the evidence, this video is a solid watch. Check it out and see the cast for yourself.