A few days ago I returned home after a fabulous trip up to Vernal, Utah for PhenomeCon 2025. We had 4 full days of presentations and off site field trips, including a closing reception with costumes and a rock band on the final night. Topics that were covered were Bigfoot, ghost hunting, UFO’s, strange psychic phenomenon of all sorts, and of course, Skinwalker Ranch, which is located near Vernal, in northeast Utah. This was my chance to meet in person several of the personalities that I had been following for years on TV, radio, and via their podcasts. If you would like more information about this event, you can go to www.phenomecon.net. I am assuming that this web site will be up all year with information, and starting after the first of next year, there will probably be information about the 2026 event.
Whitley Strieber kicked off the first day with a fascinating lecture on his years of interactions with the Grey ET’s. There were several time slots each day where several people were speaking in different locations at the conference center at the same time. There was a lot to choose from! Ben Woodruff, who is the biologist for Skinwalker Ranch, was one of my favorites. He spoke about several animals that had been found dead there, but did not decay nor were they gnawed on by other animals who ordinarily would have done that. Even after many months! He also supervised the DNA analysis of a carcass that was found in the ranch’s creek. It turned out to be 10% Asian and Greenland grey wolf, and 90% “other” from the wolf family. How did it get there? There was also coyote and raccoon DNA found in an unknown animals scat. Predators may kill these animals but do not eat them. Ben is thinking that there is an extra large animal from the cat family lurking there. Ice Age jaguar came up as a possibility.
Other interesting speakers were Dave Schrader, James Keenan, William Henry, Mireya Mayor, Ami Bruni of ”Kindred Spirits” fame, and one of my very favorites, David Paulides of “Missing 411” fame. I am not much into Bigfoot, so I skipped most of those talks. I did sign up to have a special lunch with George Noory who is the host for the “Coast to Coast AM” radio show. It was so nice to see him in person after many years of listening to his voice on the radio!
Of course, meeting the Skinwalker Ranch cast was the reason why many people attended the conference. Several spoke individually, and they all participated in a panel discussion. Dr. Travis Taylor was a real hoot to listen to! Quite a character. No one is allowed to go on to ranch property without specific permission, but there were several off site activities that took people near to the ranch’s boundaries. They even shot off several research rockets for conference attendees.
The whole area around Vernal is considered to be a UFO hotspot, and most people living in that area have witnessed not only UFO’s but a host of other psychic phenomena. The native tribes there also have a multitude of stories about this. Unfortunately, I did not witness anything. If I go next year, I will certainly sign up for some of the offsite events which happen mainly at night!
Below are a few photos. First is George Noory.
I had my picture taken at the closing reception with David Paulides. Quite a few years ago when I was living near Mesa Verdi National Park, a man went missing in the park, and was never found. I remember David referencing that case during one of his many appearances on “Coast to Coast”.
Finally, just for kicks, here is a clip of the “Hitchhiker“ band, featuring Travis Taylor. They played at the closing reception. Not my cup of tea! Too much yelling.