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

THIS SPOOKY NIGHT WALK IS POSTED ON THREE GROUPS; LAZY ASS HIKING, ENERGIZED OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, AND ON THE MOVE INLAND EMPIRE. PLEASE SIGN UP ON ONE SITE ONLY! NO PLUS ONES. YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/1/6/6/600_402897702.jpeg

Halloween is upon us and that means it's time to get out into the night for our annual Haunted Trail event. 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 distant past train wrecks. And to be sure, there were a few strange occurrences on those rides. But aside from unexplained popped chains, flat tires, sudden falls, and close calls, we all made it back without too much trouble.

But this time we are going to take a walk along the seemingly innocent Thompson Creek Trail which runs alongside a flood control channel south of Sycamore Canyon and the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. 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."

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/d/3/e/600_402911582.jpeg

Now, none of us have ever seen or heard anything like that on the Thompson Creek Trail during our daytime walks, so we fully expect this evening walk to be a pleasant one. But then again, none of us except for our co-host Rose have walked it at night. And she isn't saying what she may have seen or heard.

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. Please note that we will only be walking the section from Higginbotham Park to Mills Avenue and back, which is approximately 3 miles round trip.

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

MILES: 3-4 miles RT

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 over 3-4 miles of walking.

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

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 AND YOUR GUEST 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.