National Park After Dark

Episode 348: Trail Tales 85

Release Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: Danielle & Cassie

Episode Overview

In their first recorded Trail Tales episode of 2026, Danielle and Cassie dive into listener-submitted stories from the wilder side of national parks and public lands. From prank mishaps and ghostly encounters to grizzly standoffs and memorable group trips, this installment features a blend of humor, chills, nostalgia, and lessons from the wild. As always, the hosts' banter and personal confessions add a relatable and upbeat twist to the darker tales shared.

Key Discussion Points and Stories

1. Prank Fails: The Time I "Accidentally Killed" My Friend

Story Begins: [01:31]

• Listener recounts a prank from the 1990s that rapidly got out of control:
  • He jokingly tells a friend that a fellow baseball team member, Mark H., was struck by lightning and died.
  • The rumor spreads through their small town, even reaching a rival team’s mother and making it into the local newspaper.
  • After Mark H. is revealed to be alive and well, the storyteller owns up to the prank years later.
• Host reactions highlight both the sheer scale of the rumor and the hilarity of childhood pranks gone wrong.
• Notable quote:
  • Cassie (reading listener’s words): “Enjoy the view, but watch your sarcasm. It can kill us.” [06:14]
• The story prompts Danielle and Cassie to recall their own youthful confessions withheld from parents, adding humor and nostalgia.

2. Glacier Grizzly Fight

Story Begins: [13:56]

• Listener Sarah shares a tense Glacier National Park trip where:
  • Wild weather and backpacking lead to split group activities.
  • A friend encounters a sow grizzly with cubs—without bear spray—only to be suddenly interceded by a grizzly boar. The bears clash, giving the hiker a chance to flee.
  • The story mixes peril (grizzly encounter), humor (no period products, “not very bear aware of you”), and relief.
• Notable quotes:
  • Sarah’s boyfriend: “Well, that’s not very bear aware of you.” [16:32]
  • Danielle: “That’s very Jurassic Park.” [17:50]
• The hosts visualize the scene, likening the narrative tension and foggy mountain setting to a movie.

3. Gettysburg Trail Tale

Story Begins: [19:54]

• Listener Barbara recounts a ghostly experience while visiting the Gettysburg battlefield:
  • Family hears the sound of a phantom cannon at night, then captures a photo at Reynolds Monument which they believe shows the apparition of General Reynolds himself.
  • The photo, however, is lost and only a less compelling image remains.
• Danielle and Cassie debate the photo’s ambiguity, highlighting skepticism and the desire to believe in the paranormal.
• Memorable dialogue:
  • Danielle: “I want to believe you so bad, you know what I mean?” [25:12]
  • Cassie: “I believe you, Barbara. I just don’t believe this photo.” [25:45]

4. Basin of the Damned (Chicago Basin, Colorado)

Story Begins: [29:14]

• Listener describes a challenging friend trip into the Chicago Basin via the Durango & Silverton railroad:
  • The group struggles with altitude sickness, malfunctioning gear, and a comedy of errors (broken jetboil, stuck bear canister, diarrhea, period difficulties).
  • The tale grows tense at night when a strange man lurks near their tent; the listener sees a red headlamp, hears footsteps, and feels unsettled all night.
• Notable moments:
  • Cassie: “…You never know when a ghost cannon will go off in the dark.” [23:45]
  • The frequent refrain, “I have a knife,” yelled into the darkness.
• Story triggers discussion of women’s safety and group dynamics outdoors, blending seriousness with humor.

5. Help! The Bear's Got Kevin (Prank Gone Wrong)

Story Begins: [44:41]

• Listener Anna shares a prank-gone-too-far during a church youth group canoe trip in Temagami, Canada:
  • Leaders stage a fake bear attack to scare teens into respecting bear safety.
  • One leader, Kevin, unexpectedly escalates by screaming, “Help! The bear’s got me!” and rolling on the ground.
  • The kids, not hearing the laughter after, panic, pack canoes, cry, and pray, thinking a true mauling just occurred.
• Notable quotes:
  • Narrator (Anna): “Turns out they had heard Kevin get attacked. But what they didn’t hear was all six of us leaders laughing directly after.” [50:44]
  • Danielle: “Okay, that’s also a great way to discover that no one is going to help you. You all, every single one of those kids was off running.” [51:45]
• Cassie observes humorously that “kids need a little bit of trauma to become funny later.” [52:23]

6. My Experience With Diana of the Dunes

Story Begins: [53:12]

• Listener Erin tells of visiting Indiana Dunes National Park with family after being inspired by the podcast’s past episode about Alice Mabel Gray (“Diana of the Dunes”):
  • Hikes the Dune Succession Trail, feels spiritually connected to Alice’s story, and shares the tale with younger family members, inspiring a nephew to vow to protect nature.
• Danielle & Cassie reflect on the importance of history in deepening hiking experiences and the impact stories can have on family and conservation values.
• Host quote:
  • Danielle: “It does make your experience so much more rich when you know the history behind where you are and the people who help shape it.” [55:49]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cassie (on the “killed my friend” prank):
  “And the mom continued: 'We had a moment of silence for him at our game today.'” [04:51]
• Danielle (on confession stories):
  “It’s like, God, I’m just dying to tell you this, but I would have never, never told you before when you had power over me in my life.” [07:13]
• Danielle (on outdoor group dynamics):
  “...You need someone protecting and you need an observer...It’s just like, it’s a balance. And that’s what makes the world go round.” [42:33]

Timestamps for Story Segments

| Segment | Start Time | |--------------------------------------|------------| | Prank Fails / Lightning Prank | 01:31 | | Glacier Grizzly Fight | 13:56 | | Gettysburg Ghost Tale | 19:54 | | Basin of the Damned | 29:14 | | Help! The Bear’s Got Kevin | 44:41 | | Diana of the Dunes | 53:12 |

Recurring Themes and Takeaways

• Pranks and Lessons Learned: From rumors to fake bear attacks, seemingly harmless pranks can become legendary and reveal much about group dynamics and personal growth.
• Outdoor Dangers, Both Real and Imagined: Grizzly encounters, camping mishaps, and the lurking threat of "something" in the night all remind listeners of both the risks and rewards of wilderness adventures.
• Ghosts and Legends: Spiritual and paranormal elements (Gettysburg, Diana of the Dunes) offer an added layer of intrigue to America’s public lands.
• Importance of Storytelling: Both in sharing history and in forging connections—stories inspire, caution, and educate.
• Female Solidarity and Safety Outdoors: Particularly in “Basin of the Damned,” the episode highlights how women’s experiences in the outdoors are shaped by both solidarity and vigilance.
• Humor and Catharsis: Danielle and Cassie’s banter and frequent laughter bring lightness to the dark, keeping the tone relatable and genuine.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a quintessential Trail Tales round-up—blending the eerie, the hilarious, and the heartfelt with candid listener stories and the hosts’ trademark empathy and wit. Whether you’re looking for a cautionary tale, a good laugh, or inspiration to chase your own “National Park after dark” moment, this episode delivers.

“Enjoy the view, but watch your back.”