THE STORY
Reported Haunting
A section of the Appalachian Trail near Punchbowl Mountain is said to be haunted by the spirit of a four-year-old boy who became lost and died while attempting to find his way home. Hikers have reported sensing or encountering the child's presence near the trail and shelter.
The Appalachian Trail passes through dense woodland around Punchbowl Mountain and Bluff Mountain in Virginia. Local ghost lore tells of a young boy named Ottie Powell who disappeared from a nearby schoolhouse in 1891. Searchers reportedly found his body months later on Bluff Mountain. A memorial now marks the area, where hikers have described hearing a child's voice or sensing that a small unseen figure is following them.