Bigfoot Researcher Conducts Patient Night Search in Mark Twain Forest
Posted Friday, August 21, 2026
By Squatchable.com staff
There's something about a solo Bigfoot investigation that always gets my attention, and this one from Red Dirt Cryptid Investigations is no exception. The investigator heads into the Mark Twain National Forest alone during the heat of summer, which he admits goes against his own advice about using the buddy system. But boredom won out, and he decided to do some "low impact squatching" near a cool water source and a dumpster area, figuring the trash could serve as a potential food source attractant.
One of the more interesting parts of this video is his setup with thermal binoculars. He places them near his vehicle and covers them up, explaining a theory that's been gaining traction among researchers. The idea is that Sasquatch may be able to see infrared heat signatures, which would make glowing electronics stand out like a sore thumb in the woods. By placing the thermal device close to his vehicle, he hopes the ambient heat from the engine area might help camouflage it. It's a clever workaround and shows how researchers are constantly adapting their methods to account for the possibility that these beings have sensory capabilities beyond our own.
He also runs a chem light bait test, tossing out glow sticks to see if anything might swipe them. The results come back inconclusive, which honestly is pretty common in these kinds of experiments. Chem lights have been used by various researchers over the years as a low-cost way to test whether Sasquatch might be curious enough to interact with unfamiliar objects left in their territory. Sometimes the lights disappear, sometimes they don't. It's one of those things that keeps researchers guessing.
The night hike portion is where things get a little tense. He heads down a muddy trail toward the bathroom in the dark, noting how creepy the path feels. Anyone who's spent time in the woods at night knows that feeling, when every shadow seems to move and every sound feels amplified. He mentions hearing distant campers still awake and jokes about how only weirdos are up that late, which is a mood anyone who's done a night investigation can relate to.
There's also a fun moment where he breaks out a new DJI Neo drone to play with, and earlier in the video he takes a swim to cool off from the summer heat. The whole vibe is very much that of someone making the best of a solo trip, balancing the compromises of summer investigating with the hope of stumbling onto something interesting.
The Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri has a long history of Sasquatch reports, with witnesses describing everything from wood knocks to vocalizations across the region. It's the kind of location that keeps drawing researchers back because the activity seems consistent year after year.
If you're into solo investigation methodology, thermal camera placement theories, or just enjoy watching someone navigate the woods at night with a sense of humor, this one's worth checking out. The video has a relaxed, conversational feel that makes it easy to settle into, even when the trail gets a little spooky.