Missing Hikers' Remains Found Decades Apart in Bigfoot-Infested Forest

Posted Friday, May 23, 2025

By Squatchable.com staff

In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest holds secrets that have yet to be unraveled. This vast and rugged landscape is no stranger to mysteries, but the tale we're about to share is unlike any other. Two hikers, lost at different times, vanished in the same unforgiving terrain. The chilling part? Their remains were found nearly a decade apart, in the same month, just days apart. The first story begins on September 28th, 2013, when Christopher Zitz and his friend Caleb ventured into the dense wilderness of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Both were experienced spelunkers, eager to explore the big lava beds in the forest. But something went terribly wrong. At around 2 p.m. that day, the two split up, likely exploring different cracks in the earth, each hoping to find a hidden cave. Caleb soon realized he couldn't find Christopher. Was it the terrain? Was it that both men had wandered too far apart? It's hard to say, but after hours of searching, Caleb was forced to face the cold reality. His friend was nowhere to be found. The search teams arrived, their faces grim with the knowledge of the challenge ahead. They were no strangers to the dangers of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, but the terrain here, especially in the big lava beds, was a whole other beast. The search pressed on, but with each passing day, hope grew dimmer. They combed through the forest with ruthless determination, but the forest seemed to mock their efforts, swallowing up their trail like it had swallowed Christopher. Days turned into nights, and still no trace of him was found. No footprints, no broken branches, no sign that he had ever passed through this cursed stretch of land. As the weather turned colder, the searchers began to feel the weight of their fruitless efforts. A full week had passed. A week of combing through every ravine, every crack, every possible hiding place the forest had to offer. Yet, there was no sign of Christopher. Nothing to tell them where he had gone or what had happened to him. It was a crushing blow. The rescue teams, exhausted and demoralized, had no choice but to call off the search. But the forest had more stories to tell. Stories that were just beginning to unfold, one hiker at a time. The mysterious disappearance of John Hopkins. Almost a decade passed before another story of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest would once again captivate the hearts of those who heard it. November 2022 brought yet another disappearance. This time, a seasoned hiker by the name of John Hopkins, a 69-year-old outdoorsman from Seattle. John was no stranger to the forest, and he knew what he was doing. Well-prepared, experienced, and equipped with everything he might need, Jon set off from the Mlen Meadows area, a location about an hour away from where Christopher had gone missing. John had set out on what seemed to be a routine hike, just another day in the wilderness, searching for solitude and the peace only nature could offer. But once again, the forest had different plans. The days passed. Jon was expected to return, but he never did. His family waited, then grew anxious, and finally they raised the alarm. Authorities were called in and search teams were deployed immediately. As soon as they arrived, they quickly located Jon's rental car parked at the Mlen Meadows parking lot. It was a familiar scene, empty, quiet, but there was one glaring detail that caught their attention. Jon's equipment was still in the car. It didn't take a seasoned outdoorsman to realize what that meant. Jon had planned on staying out longer. He had expected to be in the wilderness for more than just a quick day hike. It was clear he wasn't just out for a short walk in the woods. Something had gone terribly wrong. The authorities sprang into action. The search began in earnest. Trails were combed, every path checked, and every inch of the forest scrutinized. But once again, just like Christopher, Jon had vanished. Not a single clue was found. No trace of him anywhere. What had happened to him? Where had he gone? The questions piled up, but there was still no answer. The authorities were left with the same gut-wrenching feeling that had haunted the search for Christopher Zitz. The forest had claimed another one. As we delve deeper into the mysteries of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, we can't help but wonder, what secrets does this vast wilderness hold? Could it be that the forest is home to something more than just trees and wildlife? Or is it simply the unforgiving terrain that claims the lives of those who dare to venture into its depths? We invite you to watch the video that uncovers these mysteries and share your thoughts with us. Could the Gifford Pinchot National Forest be home to something more? Let us know what you think!