When Leadville’s Mineral Belt Trail regulars began spotting eight-foot-tall Sasquatch cut-outs tucked among the trees, reactions ranged from startled yelps to delighted laughter. “I walked right up on one of them and let out a scream!” confessed local hiker Jennifer Speight, echoing the surprise many felt when they first encountered the life-size figures.
Reflecting an age-old American legend—of a towering, hair-covered beast roaming remote forests—these friendly pranksters first appeared in late August. Families out for a Sunday stroll have paused mid-photo upon glimpsing the dark silhouette looming beside the paved, 13-mile loop that encircles our high-altitude town.
Some skeptics jokingly dismiss the phenomenon. “It’s probably just an old hippie in the woods,” quipped longtime resident Sharon Galey on social media. But the mystery deepened when Leadville Today traced the cut-outs back to retired County Assessor Howard Tritz.
Tritz, a Leadville native known for his playful spirit, admits owning a workshop full of whimsical wooden figures—from dragons to unicorns—and says a local prankster borrowed his Sasquatch template. “They asked to stay anonymous,” he laughed, “but I was happy to share.” Each figure’s single red reflector eye—reminiscent of a bike safety light—hints at the mischievous maker’s nod to trail users.
Though some may shriek at first sight, the oversized silhouettes have become a source of shared amusement and conversation. As one cyclist put it, “My heart raced—then I couldn’t stop laughing!” In these times, a little unexpected humor on our beloved MBT is a most welcome surprise.
Keep your eyes peeled on the Mineral Belt Trail—you never know when Bigfoot might be peeking through the pines!