I can’t say as I’ve ever seen a ghost. I’ve felt the hair stand up on the back of my neck at times, but never anything substantial. That being said, I have had some unusual encounters on trips into the backcountry.

On one hike into Alberta’s Kananaskis Country near Banff National Park, my husband and I were wandering off-trail in a circuit around a small peak behind the campground. As we strolled up the meadow we heard a loud noise, followed by a thump and then silence.

Quickening our pace we rounded the corner and were amazed to see a Bighorn sheep lying on the ground beneath a rock slope. It appeared that its back legs were paralyzed. Not wanting to stress the animal further, we retreated and watched through binoculars to see if it would recover. It didn’t survive. No ghostly apparition appeared, yet I was still shaken by what we had witnessed.

But that episode doesn’t even come close to another hiking encounter. We were walking a popular trail up to a local fire lookout when we heard a twig crack in the woods off to our left. Looking over I saw the bright eyes of a black bear, studiously trying to ignore me. Heart racing, I took the hint, shifted my glance away and we hoofed it up the trail – but I was high alert for the rest of the hike.

Lunching at the lookout summit, we started the trek back down to our car. Once in the trees again I asked my hiking companions to watch the trail for anyone coming while I went to the bathroom. Stepping off the trail into the forest, I almost immediately noticed a person leaning against a tree just down the slope. “There’s someone here,” I called to my companions. “Say hello,” they replied. I did. No answer.

You’ve probably guessed the rest of the story. It was not a living person. In all my years of hiking I never thought I would encounter a body, but I did. And I tell you, I’m never stepping off the trail to use the outdoor facilities again. Spooky – you bet. Will it stop me from hiking – not in this lifetime!

I bring up this topic because of a book I’ve just become aware of, but have yet to get my hands on. It’s called Haunted Hikes and the author, Angela Lankford, explores “spine-tingling tales and trails from North America’s National Parks.” It got me wondering if any of you hikers out there have ever had a spectral encounter on the trail. Share your stories on the BellaOnline Hiking and Backpacking Forum (link below).