Sasquatch Chronicles Episode 1229: "The Playground At Night" — Detailed Summary

Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Wes (Sasquatch Chronicles)
Main Guests: Braden (Washington State), Curtis (Northern California)

Overview

This episode dives into two distinct but chilling Sasquatch (Bigfoot) encounters: one ongoing in rural Washington, and a second, formative sighting from the early 1980s in Northern California. The first half is a real-time account of strange happenings around Braden’s grandfather’s property; the second is a dramatic retelling by Curtis, who, as a teenager, confronted unexplainable figures during a childhood game. Through discussion with both witnesses, the show explores classic markers of Sasquatch presence—feelings of being watched, unintelligible vocalizations, and sightings of mysterious glowing eyes. The importance of witness psychology, the interplay of shock and belief, and the ambiguous nature of Sasquatch itself are central themes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Braden’s Ongoing Experiences in Washington State

[02:14–31:20]

• Background:

  • Braden moves to his grandfather’s remote home to help as a caretaker. He’s a practical outdoorsman and initially skeptical about Bigfoot.

• Early Unsettling Feelings:

  • Immediate sense of being watched, especially returning late at night from work. Braden describes sitting in his truck, staring at the field and tree line, feeling an inexplicable, oppressive gaze ([04:05–07:15]).
  • His girlfriend confides she feels unsafe alone early mornings, echoing his unease.

• Auditory Encounters:

  • Both Braden and his girlfriend hear shuffling and low murmuring outside their bedroom at night—like "gibberish" or a strange, whispered language ([07:15–08:29]).
  • Despite ring cameras, the only blind spot is by the pond and adjacent timberland—where activity seems to center.

• Physical Signs:

  • Disturbed by "tap, tap, tap" on the outside walls, which he records ([08:50–12:20]). Upon playback for coworkers, all share his discomfort.

• Unusual Animal Activity:

  • Girlfriend reports strange, prolonged animal screams and yips at night, unlike typical coyote activity ([12:20–14:30]).

• Sightings:

  • Braden describes (with mounting dread) seeing a pair of red eyes, far apart and high off the ground, reflecting in the darkness about 100 yards away ([15:00–19:37]). He had the overwhelming feeling that he was being targeted.
  • His girlfriend later confides she also saw similar red eyes on a different night ([19:37–20:43]).

• Behavioral Patterns and Advice:

  • The host suggests Braden investigate his grandfather’s experiences, noting the elderly man's avoidance of windows at night and habitual carrying of a gun ([20:43–25:32]).
  • Practical tips: add cheap flood lights and trail cameras. Witnesses often report Sasquatch backing off when a property is illuminated or surveilled ([23:33–24:48], [26:15–27:12]).

• Psychological Impact:

  • Both Braden and his girlfriend fluctuate between skepticism and conviction, growing more convinced as patterns escalate ([27:12–29:53]).
  • Braden’s take: Bigfoot is likely flesh-and-blood, perhaps a subspecies of primate—a wild relative that avoided civilization ([29:53–30:44]).

Notable Quotes:

• “It's just like something staring into your soul.” — Braden ([05:28])
• “I don't know any animal that would make a noise like that. It's like it was investigating what's going on." — Braden ([08:50])
• “That feeling of dread, of being watched, these weird red eyes that you're seeing, things tapping on your home... everything you're describing sounds like they're there.” — Host Wes ([22:11])
• “If they were going to hurt you, they would have done it a long time ago. You're easy pickings.” — Wes ([27:34])

Memorable Moment:
Braden’s reluctance to go outside with his rifle after seeing the red eyes—“No, I don’t want to go over there. I’m good.” ([17:13])

2. Curtis’s 1983 Encounter in Northern California

[31:42–63:25]

• Setting:

  • Summer, 1983, Yreka, CA, a small mountain town near Oregon border. Curtis, his identical twin, and friends play team hide-and-seek in a schoolyard and adjacent field near the forest.

• The Sighting:

  • Three large, humanlike figures emerge from the shadows, walking straight towards (and over) a tall chain-link fence ([36:30–39:30]).
  • The tallest leaps the 8–10ft fence effortlessly; the others walk around.
  • The boys mistake the figures for other players; only upon close proximity does the truth emerge.

• Close Encounter:

  • Curtis realizes, up close (as one figure approaches him within 12ft), this is not a person. He is stunned by the figure’s size, the long individual hairs, and its calm, non-aggressive demeanor ([43:00–47:00]).
  • He panics, yells "Bang, bang, bang!" as if firing a make-believe gun; the figures turn and swiftly retreat.
  • The group regroups and discovers they all saw the same thing—shock replaces confusion.

• Aftermath & Emotional Impact:

  • Curtis feels overwhelming shock upon his brother plainly stating, “We just saw Bigfoot” ([50:27]).
  • The emotional trauma is described as the worst fear he’s ever felt. It took nearly an hour for him to regain composure ([48:50–50:06]).
  • The group chooses not to tell adults, fearing ridicule as new kids in town.

• Witness Details:

  • All three figures over 6ft, one noticeably taller. Covered in dark, shaggy hair; no clothes or bare skin visible ([53:44–56:00]).
  • No smell, sound, or aggression; demeanors were calm and almost childlike ("had its hand up, like it was trying to tell me something" [60:10–60:15]).

• Psychological Processing:

  • Initial denial, searching for rational explanation ("it's deer!") despite clear evidence ([50:27–53:19]).
  • Shock and fear peaked only after others validated what he saw.

• Reflections on Sasquatch:

  • Curtis leans toward the idea that Sasquatch is more human than animal, citing their intelligence and communicative ability (refers to the 'Sierra Sounds')—flesh-and-blood, not paranormal ([61:33–62:42]).

Notable Quotes:

• “I went to a deep shock. That was the worst fear I've ever had.” — Curtis ([50:27–50:45])
• “It had its… left hand just kind of looking up at me, like… I don’t know if it was trying to tell me something or wanting me to… Something like a kid would do, I guess.” — Curtis ([60:10–60:15])
• “To me, it just kind of logical just to think that they have a higher intelligence than just being an animal.” — Curtis ([61:33])

Memorable Moment:
Curtis, faced with the reality, is paralyzed by fear, drops to his knees, and shakes uncontrollably ([48:50–50:06]).

Important Timestamps

• 04:05–07:15: Braden details the feelings of being watched, and atmospheric dread on the property.
• 08:50–12:00: Description of "mumbling" voices and noises in the night; comparison to known wildlife.
• 15:00–19:37: The sighting of mysterious red eyes—distance, height, details, and emotional response.
• 20:43–25:32: Behavioral clues from Braden’s grandfather and the host’s practical advice.
• 31:42–39:30: Curtis introduces himself and recounts the beginning of the 1983 encounter.
• 43:00–47:00: Close-range face-off with the largest figure; reactions and sensory details.
• 50:27–53:19: Emotional fallout; Curtis processes the encounter and recounts the moment his brother names what happened.
• 61:33–62:42: Reflections on Sasquatch’s nature and intelligence.

Quotes (with Attribution & Timestamps)

• “It's just like something staring into your soul.” — Braden ([05:28])
• “I don't know any animal that would make a noise like that. It's like it was investigating what's going on." — Braden ([08:50])
• “Everything you're describing around this property sounds like they're there.” — Host Wes ([22:11])
• “I went to a deep shock. That was the worst fear I've ever had.” — Curtis ([50:27])
• “It had its… left hand just kind of looking up at me, like… I don’t know if it was trying to tell me something or wanting me to… Something like a kid would do, I guess.” — Curtis ([60:10])
• “They’re definitely more humanlike than they are animal… they have a higher intelligence.” — Curtis ([61:33])

Flow & Tone

• Conversational, Candid, and Respectful: Witnesses are heard out fully, encouraged to tell their stories in their own words, with an empathetic host who draws out practical advice and psychological nuance.
• Tone oscillates between practical (advice about floodlights, firearms, and cameras) and awe-struck or fearful (descriptions of emotional impact of the encounters). The show maintains a stance of open-minded skepticism, neither dismissing nor sensationalizing.

Closing Thoughts

This episode of Sasquatch Chronicles draws a compelling juxtaposition between the quiet terror of living with unexplained phenomena and the shock of unignorable, up-close encounters. Both Braden and Curtis begin as skeptics, processing their experiences with logic before succumbing to fear and awe. The show balances practical advice for those affected, with deeply personal journeys toward accepting the unknown, underscoring the persistent mystery and very human impact of these rural legends.