PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

I. The Gates of Hell | II. The Asylum | III. The Hanging Tree | IV. The Dead Pool | V. Night Shadows | VI. Blood On The Rocks {The Blood Stones} | VII. House of Living Shadows | VIII. Silent Screams {White Crosses} | IX. Haunted Hill | X. Twisted Trails {The Ballad of Haunted Devil's Canyon} | XI. Black Noise | XII. Workman's Ghost | XIII. Strange Things

These tales are by no means limited to any specific place. "Devil's Canyon" is an archetype of eidolic wilderness locations the world over. Every region, country has its own version with similar tales supplementing and continuing its own urban legends, told by successive generations.

History

* Ghosts {natives, children}: Area founded by Spaniards on the bloodshed of local Indians. Abandoned orphanage 'shacks' where children were allegedly abused and killed; rumors of a cult sacrificing them on a rock on panoramic '360' hill.

Founder commits suicide, due to political skullduggery, whose ghost is said to still haunt the area.

* Devil Worship / cults - Claim: Alleged sporadic spotting of dark robed figures with torches, and shadowy forms appearing around the area; abandoned homes used for rituals, and devil-worship-type vandalism. [see The Satanic Panic Archive]. Note: This does not condone illegal activity, and discourages criminal behavior. Responsibility to the responsible.

* Strange Creatures - Claim: Seen crossing the twisting roads, sometimes resembling large heavily-furred rodents, odd cats, to Sasquatch-like creatures, 'chupacabras' 'mothman', etc.

* Insane Asylum / Mental Hospital: The abandoned structure there stands. Edifice eviscerated by a fire, allegedly patrolled by an early 19th century police car.

* The Dead Pools: Across the way from The Asylum, are these empty pools where bodies and animal carcasses have been found. Belonging to houses which have been burned down. Sometimes frequented by skateboarders, until finally covered over.

* Hell House - Claim: The porch light never extinguishes, quiet screams can be heard, behind black iron gate.

Every community seems to have its own haunted house, devil house, etc., which may or may not be occupied, but in either case, is frequented by 'spooks' of one sort or another. For instance:

"An old house said to contain an entrance to Hell, and frequented by Satanists. Shadowy forms appear and disappear in the back yard, which is overgrown with thick foliage and over-hanging trees. Chanting has been heard coming from a rear window and a red light turning on and off. Frightened locals frequently cross themselves when passing by. Walking in the front yard is said to be very bad luck. Several people who have done so have died mysterious deaths, from being choked by invisible hands to car crashes and being murdered. Car collisions seem to happen on that corner on a regular basis. Demonic faces have been seen in the windows. Approaching too close to the front door, one can feel an evil sensation, and a cold spot where a pentagram has been seen sometimes around Halloween. It even looks like a haunted house. It can be recognized by the willow tree in the front yard. I first found out about it when a friend and I were driving by and he remarked "That's where The Devil lives!" Last time I saw it, it looked like there was a strange glow around it." - Anonymous.

* Old Graveyard - Claim: Traveling a certain distance will reveal an old graveyard stemming back from pioneer days.

If one hikes deeply enough, one will eventually arrive where the oldest parts of the cemetery are located, containing magnificent obelisks, ornate headstones, and beautifully-gothic crypts, unlike modern variations, which are sadly just plain markers and plaques.

* UFO's... Personal experience of the omnipresent 'black sound' more felt than heard on a hike. Eminating overhead, eventually surrounding the area. Black pyramid variation, probably secret governmental project sometimes seen in isolated locations. Perhaps a variation in stealth technology.

* The Hanging Tree: A body is said to be seen from time to time hanging from a tree while driving along the road.

* Gravity Hill: There are a couple of variations on this story. One version relates that some children died on this spot due to a train collision into their school bus. So now whenever someone parks too near the train tracks, the vehicle is 'pushed' out of harm's way. Another version states a couple of girls perished after a night of intoxication. Supposedly, small hand prints can be detected on the rear bumper. Some have sprinkled talcum powder thereon to reveal the prints clearer.

This anomele also takes place at other parts of the road, wherein if one leaves their vehicle in neutral, it will slowly creep uphill. Some conjecture it is an optical illusion on the landscape.

Addendum: As to the eerie sensation, there definitely is 'something' to it - a certain Dark Force energy which is invigorating, and the stimulating mysteries which surround this locale adds to its intriguing nature. Despite the legendry, some of which actually adds to the experience, a slow drive along its darkened snake-like roads provides for quite an empowering contemplation.

Overall, dare to explore your own local Devil's Canyon, but take care. You have been warned.