In the gripping opening episode of Expedition Bigfoot’s sixth season, viewers are immediately thrown into heart-pounding action with a mysterious scene where team members discover something bleeding in the dark woods. This dramatic start sets the stage for what promises to be the team’s most ambitious and technologically advanced investigation yet into the elusive creature known as Bigfoot. The core team, consisting of Bryce Johnson, Dr. Mireya Mayor, and Russell Acord, welcomes a new member to their ranks – Biko Wright, a skilled outdoorsman who brings extensive knowledge of the Pacific Northwest forests and a personal connection to Bigfoot encounters.

The investigation begins when Bryce receives an intriguing tip from a timber industry source about a significant discovery deep in the Washington wilderness. Meeting with a timber scout who wishes to remain anonymous, Bryce is shown a massive nest structure that bears striking similarities to ones the team had previously discovered in Northern California. What makes this discovery particularly interesting is its location – over 500 miles north of their previous findings, suggesting a possible migration pattern of these mysterious creatures. The nest’s construction, with carefully woven branches and a distinctive odor, mirrors the characteristics of nests they had encountered before.

Diving deeper into their research, the team analyzes five years of eyewitness reports and makes a fascinating discovery. The data reveals a clear pattern of Bigfoot sightings forming what appears to be a highway of activity stretching from Northern California’s Lost Coast all the way up to Washington state. However, something unusual happens when the sightings reach Washington – the pattern suddenly splits off in different directions, like a fork in the road. This discovery leads the team to focus their investigation on an area they dub “the Fork,” a natural chokepoint in the landscape where the migration pattern diverges.

The significance of this location cannot be overstated. Washington state reports the highest number of Bigfoot sightings in the continental United States, with approximately 500 reported sightings each year – and those are just the ones that get reported. The team theorizes that this area might be more than just a passing point; it could be a crucial gathering place for these creatures. To effectively monitor this vast area, they implement an innovative 18-mile seismic trip wire system, using technology typically used for earthquake detection to track movement through the forest. This sophisticated system can distinguish between two-legged and four-legged animals based on their movement patterns.

The deployment of these sensors proves to be a challenging and dangerous task. Mireya and Biko, working together on the western section, encounter particularly treacherous terrain that forces them to rappel down a waterfall to place their sensors. The descent is nerve-wracking, with slippery conditions and close calls that demonstrate the team’s dedication to their mission. Meanwhile, Russell, working alone on the eastern section, has his own close call when he nearly steps onto an unstable cliff edge that could have resulted in a fatal fall. Throughout this process, Bryce coordinates the operation from a command center, ensuring all sensors are properly connected and transmitting data.

The investigation takes an fascinating turn when Bryce meets with Tom Sewid, a tribal member with deep knowledge of Sasquatch lore. Tom shares compelling information about Bigfoot “potlatches” – gathering places where different Bigfoot groups come together, similar to traditional Native American ceremonial gatherings. These gatherings, according to Tom, involve various behaviors including vocalizations, territorial displays, and social interactions between different family groups. Perhaps most intriguingly, Tom warns about “rogue” Sasquatches – older males who have been displaced by younger, stronger ones and become particularly dangerous. These rogues, having lost their mates and territory, can become unpredictable and aggressive.

As night falls on the first day of the investigation, the activity intensifies. Mireya and Biko, who have set up camp in the western quadrant, hear disturbing screeching sounds that Mireya describes as similar to a woman screaming in pain. Biko notes that the sound reminds him of predator calls used to lure prey. Following these unsettling sounds, they discover an area littered with animal bones, including elk remains showing signs of being gnawed by something powerful enough to take down large prey. This bone field suggests they might be in the hunting ground of a formidable predator, raising questions about what kind of creature could be responsible for such kills.

Simultaneously, Russell explores the eastern section near where Bryce found the nest. His investigation leads him to discover fresh animal remains, including a baby deer carcass that’s only a few months old. The presence of tendons still attached to the bones indicates recent predator activity in the area. Following these clues, Russell comes across two old mining culverts, where he detects movement inside. The episode builds to a suspenseful climax as Russell prepares to investigate these culverts, uncertain of what might be waiting in the darkness.

The team’s findings suggest they might be dealing with more than just individual Bigfoot sightings. The evidence points to the possibility of a complex social structure, including family groups, migration patterns, and gathering places. The discovery of the bone field and fresh kills indicates active predator presence in the area, while Tom’s insights about Bigfoot social behavior provide a new framework for understanding these creatures. The presence of both older and fresher kills suggests this area has been used as a hunting ground for an extended period.

The implementation of the seismic trip wire system represents a significant leap forward in their research methods. By creating an electronic barrier that can detect and distinguish between different types of movement, the team hopes to gather concrete data about how these creatures move through the landscape. The system’s ability to differentiate between two-legged and four-legged animals could provide crucial evidence about the nature of whatever is moving through this area.

The episode effectively establishes multiple intriguing threads for the season ahead. The mysterious screech heard by Mireya and Biko could be evidence of hunting behavior or communication between creatures. The bone field suggests organized predator activity, with multiple kills in the same area indicating a pattern of behavior rather than random encounters. Russell’s discovery of movement in the mining culverts points to current activity in the target zone, possibly providing an opportunity for direct contact.

The addition of Biko Wright to the team brings a fresh perspective and valuable local knowledge. His background in bushcraft and personal experience with possible Bigfoot encounters adds credibility to the investigation. His skills prove particularly valuable when navigating the challenging terrain and interpreting signs in the forest. The team’s dynamics show promise, with each member bringing unique expertise to the investigation.

The episode also touches on the historical significance of Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest, particularly through Tom’s sharing of indigenous knowledge. The connection between traditional stories of Sasquatch and modern sightings suggests a continuity that spans generations, adding depth to the investigation. Tom’s warnings about rogue Sasquatch introduce an element of danger that the team must consider as they proceed with their investigation.

The choice of location for this investigation appears strategic. The natural chokepoint of the Fork creates an ideal situation for monitoring movement, while the abundance of resources in the area – including salmon, elk, and other wildlife – makes it a plausible gathering place for large creatures. The high concentration of sightings in Washington state, combined with the clear migration pattern leading to this area, suggests they might be on the right track.

As the episode concludes, the team has successfully established their monitoring system and gathered initial evidence suggesting active presence in the area. The combination of the bone field, fresh kills, strange vocalizations, and movement in the culverts all point to current activity in their target zone. The seismic trip wire system is fully operational, setting the stage for potential breakthroughs in understanding how these creatures move through the landscape. The episode ends with Russell preparing to investigate the culverts, Mireya and Biko processing their discovery of the bone field, and Bryce monitoring the seismic data, leaving viewers eager to see what developments the next episode will bring in this promising start to the season.

Video Recap: