Pre-Halloween Evening Walk on the "Haunted" Thompson Creek Trail

THIS SPOOKY NIGHT WALK IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY, NO PLUS ONES. YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF LAZY ASS HIKING TO PARTICIPATE.

Halloween is upon us and that means it's time for our annual Haunted Trail walk. In the past, we have done shadowy bike rides along the old Pacific Electric Railway corridor that some claimed were haunted by ghost and hobos from the many train wrecks of the past.

There were a few strange occurrences on those rides, so last year we switched over to a nice little walk on the seemingly innocent Thompson Creek Trail near the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park and that's where we will return for this year's walk.

Most of us will meet at the Thompson Creek trailhead on Indian Hill however the first leg of our journey will take us through the dimly lit Higginbotham Park toward Towne Avenue, so you can always meet us there if you like. We will stop at the park restroom briefly before continuing westerly down the Thomposon Creek Trail.

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For the most part, the Thompson Creek Trail is a smooth, paved bicycle path with hardly any elevation gain, so on paper it's a great place for a walk. But some claim it's haunted.

Here's an excerpt from the hauntedplaces.org website:

"Thompson Creek Trail is said to be haunted. Visitors say they have seen shadowy figures following them and heard the crackling of branches, footsteps, and scratching noises. It is also reported that the clouds above seem to form the shapes of skulls. Some witnesses have seen bizarre visions that include levitating boulders, invisible walls that block the way."

To be sure, none of us have ever seen or heard anything like that on the Thompson Creek Trail including during last year's walk so we fully expect this walk to be pleasant.

In any case, we may hear a couple coyotes howling in the distance though, and it will be dark for the majority of the walk, so be sure to bring a flashlight.

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We WILL be walking mostly in darkness and though any ghosts and spirits that might be present can easily see us coming, be sure to bring headlamps or flashlights so you can see the trail.

DISTANCE: 4.5 miles

DIFFICULTY: This is considered an easy walk on a flat surface.

WHAT TO BRING: Comfortable clothing, walking shoes and enough water to properly hydrate yourself for four miles of walking.

OPTIONAL: Feel free to dress in a costume if you like. Might make for some interesting pictures.

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DISCLAIMER/WAIVER OF LIABILITY: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR THIS EVENT

THESE ORGANIZERS ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL HIKERS OR TRAINED LEADERS AND ARE NOT TRAINED TO HANDLE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. YOU AND YOU ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING WHETHER YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY AND FOR BEING APPROPRIATELY EQUIPPED FOR THE EVENT. PLEASE CARRY YOUR OWN PERSONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL KIT. HIKING, BIKING AND WALKING IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FALLS, TWISTED ANKLES, ACCIDENTS, FRACTURES, HEAD INJURIES, AND HEAT STROKE/EXHAUSTION.

BY SIGNING UP FOR THIS MEETUP, YOU AGREE TO HOLD THE ORGANIZERS HARMLESS FROM ANY LIABILITY RESULTING FROM PARTICIPATION IN THIS ACTIVITY.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO FOLLOW SAFE HIKING, BIKING AND WALKING PRACTICES. LET THE ORGANIZERS KNOW IF YOU ARE LEAVING THE GROUP, AND USE YOUR OWN COMMON SENSE.