The Legend of Morbid Mountain
The ski lifts are closed, the lodges are locked, and the parking lot is empty . . . but if you close your eyes and listen close, the hair on the back of your neck will start to stand up straight. Footsteps in the attic, lights going on and off . . . is there someone . . . something in the corner of the room . . . you feel like you are being watched.
Perhaps you are!
Many are unaware of the history and the secrets that lie beneath the grounds and buildings of what is now known as Gunstock Mountain Resort. The urban legend has led to countless rumors and speculation. This area served many purposes before becoming what is today . . . read about some of the accounts of what led to Morbid Mountain.
Local Biologist and Bird Watcher, Stanley Burger, needed an escape from his computer. His childhood dream of playing in the mud and muck discovering new species of plants and animals had lead to a desk job of grant writing and cataloging. Not exactly what he expected.
He decided to pack up and head into the woods around Gunstock to get some dirt beneath his nails. It was rainy and in the low 60’s as Stanley parked his car. No one on the trails and the rain meant animals wouldn’t hear his footsteps, a perfect chance to snap some pictures. He noticed another vehicle near the boardwalk – perhaps someone fishing. Stanley put on his pack and headed out, the rain now coming down harder, he could barely see 10 feet in front of him. Fog began to roll in, he was losing the path. He couldn’t be far from the car he had only walked for a couple of minutes. Stanley decided to stay put until the rain let up a bit. He found a large pine tree that gave a bit of relief from the rain. As he set his pack down he saw what looked to be a large footprint. Just as he bent down to take a closer look he saw claw marks along the base of the tree. “What could this be”, he said to himself. He placed his foot into the footprint – it was much bigger than his. He took his camera from his pack and snapped a picture, then the claw marks from around the tree. He heard something in the bushes. Turning around, camera still in hand, he focused back on the claw marks when he heard a sound from behind him – ‘hiss’. As he jumped back in fright, his finger stayed on the button of the camera taking a picture. The flash of the camera startled the creature giving Stanley enough time to begin to turn and run but not enough time to get away.
Dave Cobble was checking campsites in Boardwalk extension when he received the call from Guest Services about two cars reported left overnight. He reported back that the cars were still there and he would check it out. “Grounds to Guest Services – can you call the Gilford Police”. “What should I tell them?”. “I’m not sure but something is going on”. Dave found bits of blood covered clothing and scratch marks along the slides of the vehicle. The keys were in the door and it looks like whoever the car belonged to was violently pulled away. Although the rain had washed away any footprints, it was evident that something was dragged from the vehicle. He followed the tracks to the boardwalk where what he saw brought him to his knees – a flannel sleeve still wet from the rain and an arm clutching a cell phone. Over the sound of the flies he heard ‘hiss’. Dave ran back to his 4wheeler, he got back on the radio, fear in his voice “Guest Services – call 911 and get the police here now – I am out of here!”.
Stanley came to the Boardwalk to get back to nature; he didn’t know that the dirt beneath his nails would be from his own unsuccessful attempt to struggle to survive.
Several years before the creation of Gunstock, hidden in the woods, stood Belknap Hospital. Here only the most dangerous patients were housed to receive treatments. The rural, out-of-the-way location was ideal, as even the locals never knew its existence. That is, until, as the story goes, the patients took over and it was the doctors and nurses that were held here. The location, deep in the woods was again ideal . . . no one could hear their screaming. The hospital was boarded up, closed and nearly forgotten.
The Hospital of Horrors, as it now known, was left idle for many years. During the fall of 2008, the old hospital was found by two local hikers. Brian and Jennifer were excited about taking a day off and enjoying a hike in the fall weather. When the weather quickly changed, they lost the trail in the darkness of the storm. As the sky grew darker, the lightning flashed and there in front of them was the hospital. “I’ve hiked this trail many times and I’ve never seen this before.”, Jennifer told Brian. The building was old and in disrepair but there was a light on. Against her wishes Brian knocked on the door and almost immediately the door was answered by a man in a doctor’s coat. “We’ve been waiting for you!”. The man grabbed Brian and pulled him inside. Jennifer screamed and fainted. When she awoke she was lying in the middle of the trail and the hospital was nowhere in sight. Was it a dream? If it was then how did she end up here?
After an extensive police investigation and a search of the area the hospital was found with no sign of Brian or anyone else. The case is still open . . .
Those who enter don’t return. Do you dare? . . . Those who have suffered are believed to still be here in one form or another. If you listen close you may hear banging, screaming or feel warm breath on the back of your neck– you hope it’s the wind, don’t turn around.
The telling of ghost stories by the fire is a long-held, cherished tradition among campers. Sitting around a crackling fire in the dark of night, chilling tales of ghosts, monsters & other stories that keep our mind awake throughout the night. These stories, told and retold year after year, may just be true. You decide!
Unexplained things do occur out there in the woods at night. You may have heard them yourself.
Gunstock Mountain Resort Campground Logbook. August 2008:
- 11:00 pm – Two guests call Guest Services after hearing strange noises in Breezy Knoll. Screaming is heard in the background and then the line goes dead . . .
- 11:03 pm – Call to guest services about quiet hours – loud campers
- 11:10 pm – Security radios guest services to report that “something” has made a mess of Breezy Knoll site K4 – tent and sleeping bag ripped to shreds. No sign of guests. Security asks guest services to call Fish & Game – possibility of a rabid bear. Security will check with other guests.
- 11:30 pm – Fish & Game officer arrives on site. No call back from Security.
- 11:32 pm – Camper calls Guest Services about hearing more screaming. No reply from security.
- 11:35 pm – Fish & Game officer calls “It’s not a bear . . .” Line goes dead.
What is it? You’re about to find out.
It was supposed to be the perfect date. The carnival was in town – the smell of hot popcorn, cotton candy, the bright lights, the music and all the rides seemed to be the perfect place for Johnny to bring his date. Cindy took Johnny’s hand and held it tight, there was nothing to be scared of, right? Not yet.
She said “It seems a bit odd that there isn’t anyone else here . . .”
Johnny said, “It’s still early. At least they’ll be no lines”.
The young couple entered the fun house. They walked into a dark room with only the light at the end to guide them – it felt like floor was moving beneath their feet. Cindy tightened her grip on Johnny’s hand. The next room was full of clowns – Cindy swore their eyes were watching them as they walked through. Johnny let go of her hand explaining it was getting sweating, but really he was on the defensive. He was ready to get out of here, but how? They entered the next room, mirrors!!! He was getting confused – which one was her and which was a reflection? He felt like they were going around in circles. Cindy asked with a bit of fear in her eyes – “How do we get out of here?”.
The lights went out and a whisper so close you could feel the breath – "You Don’t".
