The Mogollon Monster

The Mogollon Monster is Arizona’s regional variant of Bigfoot, reported from the dense ponderosa pine forests of the Mogollon Rim since at least 1903. Standing seven to nine feet tall and covered in reddish-brown or black hair, the creature is described as more aggressive than its Pacific Northwest cousin.

Description

Witnesses describe a bipedal creature between seven and nine feet tall, powerfully built, and covered in long hair that ranges from reddish-brown to black. The creature has a pronounced brow ridge, large eyes, and a strong, unpleasant odor variously described as dead fish, skunk, or decay.

Unlike the typically shy Sasquatch of the Pacific Northwest, the Mogollon Monster is often reported as aggressive, approaching campsites, following hikers, and throwing rocks or other objects at witnesses.

Early Reports

The earliest recorded sighting dates to 1903, when a prospector named I.W. Stevens reported seeing a creature covered in gray hair drinking from a stream in the Mogollon Rim area. The creature stood upright and walked away on two legs when it noticed Stevens.

Throughout the 20th century, reports continued from hikers, hunters, and campers in the remote forests of eastern Arizona. Witnesses described screams and howls unlike any known animal, large footprints, and sightings of the creature itself.

Modern Encounters

Reports continue to the present day. In 2006, a group of campers near Payson reported a large creature circling their camp at night, throwing pine cones and emitting a strong odor. They found large footprints the next morning.

Hunters have reported game animals behaving strangely in certain areas, as if avoiding a predator. Some have described feeling watched while in the deep forests.

The Environment

The Mogollon Rim provides ideal habitat for an undiscovered large primate. The region features hundreds of square miles of rugged, heavily forested terrain with limited human access. The same forests support healthy populations of elk, deer, and black bear.

Assessment

The Mogollon Monster remains one of Arizona’s enduring mysteries. The consistency of reports over more than a century, combined with the remoteness of the habitat, keeps the legend alive. Whether an undiscovered primate, a cultural phenomenon, or something else entirely, the Mogollon Monster continues to be reported from Arizona’s wild places.