It is said that the ghost of Little Ottie is said to haunt the wilderness of the Appalachian Trail after he tragically died on the freezing night on top of Bluff Mountain in Virginia. Hikers tell about the crying help from the little boy that just vanishes on the trail.
Deep in the Appalachian Mountains, Bluff Mountain emerges as more than just a scenic wonder; it harbors a mystique that transcends the beauty of its rugged terrain. The Appalachian Trail is today one of the longest hiking paths in the world and runs through Virginia as well as 14 other states with over 2 million people wandering through it every year.
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There are many legends and stories about these parts on The Appalachian Trail, being an old and wild trail far from everything else. Some of the most talked about legends is the Snarly Yow Beast were people started to report seeing this wolf-like creature all along the Appalachian Trail, although most sightings occur in West Virginia.
There are also reports about strange disappearances of people that have taken a hike that are never heard about again. Some are found dead however, and one of these tragic victims is said to haunt the mountain where he died.
The Landscape of Bluff Mountain
Bluff Mountain, with its ancient forests and hidden valleys, exudes an aura of secrecy. Bluff Mountain is not the most impressive mountain to look at, but don’t be fooled as the path to the summit is long and steep. From a distance it looks like a forested ridge though. The dense canopy of trees and the winding trails that crisscross the landscape create an otherworldly atmosphere, making it a perfect canvas for the mysteries that have enshrouded the mountain for generations.
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On the top of the mountain a fire lookout tower was built in 1917, now called Tower Hill. Although the tower is now gone, just a stone throw away is a memorial of stones for the child that once got lost and died on the trail.
The Legend of Ottie Cline Powell
The ghost said to show up on the trail on the mountain is the ghost of four year old, Ottie Cline Powell. He was the fifth child out of eight and grew up with his family on a farm near Dancing Creek close to Lexington in Virginia. And although he was said to have been a bright child, a child nonetheless and powerless against the freezing weather on top of a mountain.
November 9 in 1891 Little Ottie went to school and together with his classmates in the one room school he was attending together with his siblings. At recess he was gathering firewood to keep the warmth in the classroom, it is even said he did so barefoot. When recess ended, he didn’t return with the other classmates and they started to look for him. All the locals marched through the woods in search of him.
Time was of the essence here, as winter was coming, an ever looming threat. The week before the first snow had fallen and the day he disappeared ended with rain and a coming storm in the mountains.
Several weeks went by, and although they searched for him, no trace of him was found. When winter came in full no one thought to search the mountain, because how would the little boy, just shy of his fifth birthday, climb it?
It wasn’t until the following April hunters crossed the mountains on a side path to Bluff Mountain’s summit they found him after the snow had finally thawed. Their dogs kept barking and dragging the hunters to the remains of the little boy that had probably died from exposure already on his first night missing.
Supernatural Forces at Bluff Mountain
Beyond the tangible realm, stories abound of supernatural forces that allegedly roam Bluff Mountain. Some claim to have heard disembodied whispers carried by the wind, while others report glimpses of shadowy figures moving between the trees. Most people seem to agree that the ghost haunting the trail is no body else than Little Ottie.
Some have even claimed to see the spirit of the blue eyed little boy with his fair complexion on the trail as well as in the forest around Bluff Mountain. And a hiker claimed that in 2009, it had to be the ghost of him that had folded his clothes when he spent the night on the trail.
Hikers have also reported seeing a little boy seen close to the Punchbowl Trail Shelter whimpering and sometimes even asking for help before wandering away, still trying to find his way down the mountain.
Because of the legends of the trail being haunted and that the little boy never found peace, hikers have now started to leave little things on his memorial, little toys to try to appease the spirit. Because although there are no reports about the spirit hurting anyone, perhaps they feel it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The Haunted Appalachian Trail
As the mist settles on Bluff Mountain along the Appalachian Trail, and the last echoes of the day fade into the night, the haunting mysteries persist of Little Ottie who ended his days too soon on the mountain trail. Whether fueled by folklore or genuine supernatural occurrences, Bluff Mountain stands as a testament to the inexplicable forces that weave through the Appalachian Range.
The next time you find yourself amidst the misty peaks and whispering woods of Bluff Mountain, remember that every rustle in the leaves and every gust of wind may carry with it a tale from the beyond, adding another chapter to the haunting legacy of this enigmatic Appalachian gem.
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References:
Ottie’s Bluff Mountain Monument Ghost Stories WereWoofs.com
Emmet Powell, known as Ottie, was lost on Bluff Mountain. Now his ghost haunts the area.
Bluff Mountain holds the mystery of the fate of 4-year-old Ottie Cline Powell | Cheryl E Preston | NewsBreak Original
The Lonesome Death of Ottie Cline Powell – Blue Ridge Country
