Trail Harasser “Cottonmouth” Finally Caught in Wyoming After Years of Intimidation on the CDT

Infamous figure arrested in Carbon County after years of terrorizing hikers along the Continental Divide Trail.

After years of unnerving stories, whispered warnings in trail towns, and scattered reports up and down the Rocky Mountains, the man known to hikers as “Cottonmouth” is finally behind bars.

Nicholas Sampson, dubbed the “High-Country Harasser” by the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested last Thursday, July 24, on Bridger Pass Road — a quiet stretch of southern Wyoming that intersects the famed Continental Divide Trail (CDT). His crime this time? Allegedly chucking a water bottle at a road worker.

That might sound minor, but for long-distance hikers, this arrest is huge.

Sampson has gained a notorious reputation among the CDT hiking community over the past several years. Reports of his behavior have ranged from uncomfortable to outright dangerous: intimidating solo female hikers, shouting threats, and even physically assaulting trail users.

His name has echoed from New Mexico’s desert trailheads to the mountain corridors of Montana, passed on like a cautionary tale:

“Watch out for Cottonmouth.”

He was first arrested in July 2024 in Sublette County, Wyoming, for an alleged assault on the CDT, spending part of the summer in jail. Unfortunately, he returned to the trail soon after his release — picking up right where he left off.

That came to a halt when deputies responded to the recent disturbance on Bridger Pass Road and found the man himself. He was arrested on two counts of Breach of Peace and is now sitting in the Carbon County Jail.

For thru-hikers and weekend wanderers alike, Sampson’s arrest brings a sigh of relief — especially for those who’ve felt vulnerable navigating long stretches of trail in remote wilderness with patchy cell service.

The CDT is a 3,100-mile trek from Mexico to Canada. It’s rugged, isolated, and awe-inspiring — but, like any remote place, it can also be risky.

While Cottonmouth may be off the trail for now, trail safety remains essential. Here’s how hikers can protect themselves:

Tips for Staying Safe on the CDT:

• Leave a detailed itinerary with someone you trust. Regular check-ins can be a lifeline if something goes wrong.
• Carry a satellite beacon or GPS device—service is spotty on the CDT.
• Listen to your instincts. If someone gives you a bad vibe, don’t hesitate to hike on or find a safer spot.
• Camp away from roads or high-traffic public areas.
• Report incidents. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition has a form for reporting harassment or emergencies (after contacting emergency services). You can find it on their website.

As the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office put it in their cheeky press release, Sampson is now enjoying a “complimentary stay” at the county jail — a five-star resort compared to CDT camping, no doubt.

Whether you’re trekking 3,000 miles or just out for a weekend hike, there’s one less thing to worry about this summer.

Happy trails — and here’s hoping Cottonmouth stays behind bars where he belongs.

The original story by Nolan Deck for Unofficial Networks.