DATE:            August, 1984
 

TIME:          2:00 P.M.
 

LOCATION:    Santa Rosa,  California,  Sonoma County
 

TERRAIN:      Mountains
 

OBSERVED:    While hiking with my friend and his older brother on a clear sunny Norhtern California day, we had a strange sighting.  We were attempting to climb a large hill called Bennett Peak.  Before you reach the bottom of hill, there are several smaller hills to overcome before you can get to the base.

While taking a break on one of these smaller hills, we were deciding the best way to move up the mountain. While looking directly across on the other hillside we heard the sound of large branches being snapped and torn. I focused my eyes on the area form which the sounds were coming and spyed a huge brown/black hairy back making it's way through the brush.

This thing was ripping and tearing a path for it self straight through some heavy brush and oak trees.  My friend's older brother who was no stranger to the woods sat there with his jaw open.  We all saw this creature. We investigated the area where we saw this beast and found a path 2 ft. wide, cleared straight up the hill.  Odd thing was that tree branches 5-6 ft. off the ground were broken leading us to believe this wasn't any bear.
 

ACTIVITIES OF WITNESS(ES):   Hiking
 

DESCRIPTION OF CREATURE:  Big hairy back
 

OTHER SIGHTINGS IN THIS AREA?:   Yes..Occidental