From the coast to the mountains, Maine is full of beautiful places. One of our favorites is the Allagash Waterway, a protected area that runs from Aroostook County into Piscataquis County. Here in Maine, the further north you travel, the fewer people you’re likely to run into. In fact, the Maine North Woods sees significantly fewer tourists than some of the more accessible spots, which means the beauty is pristine. It allows for some true peace and quiet and it’s not uncommon to see people enjoying the area on their own. It seems some places just lend themselves to some solo self-reflection.
Paul Williams / Flickr
In August of 1976, four men ventured into the Allagash Wilderness for two weeks of camping.
Allagash Brewing / Flickr
But, one night in 1976 the beauty of the Allagash Waterway came with one of the most bizarre and terrifying stories to come out of Maine.
Christine and John Fournier / Flickr
As they enjoyed the Northern Maine wilderness one night, they noticed a bright light that seemingly tracked them as they paddled on the water.
Joe Popp / Flickr
Then, just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.
Jack Heddon / Flickr
Until two nights later when it came back. As they watched from their small boat, the bright light shot out and beamed down upon them again.
Jack Heddon / Flickr
They began paddling back to shore. Rather than arriving back on shore and pulling the boat inland, the next thing they remember is simply being back. The light was gone.
Allagash Brewing / Flickr
The campfire, set just recently, had completely burned out as if they had been gone for hours.
Ashley Bovan / Flickr
Over the next six days of the trip, the light never reappeared. When they returned, they told friends and family of the strange light and then moved on.
saragoldsmith / Flickr
However, in 1988 two of the men began having terrible nightmares. The frightening dreams included images of four men sitting naked on a bench, feeling terrified.
Liam O’Malley / Flickr
They enlisted the help of UFO researcher, Ray Fowler, who hypnotized them and recorded them each telling a tale of being abducted and probed during their 1976 Allagash trip.
Later, they each passed polygraph tests.
Allagash Brewing / Flickr
The case has never been solved.
Allagash Brewing / Flickr The four men continue to claim that what happened was real, Ray Fowler maintains that it is possible and psychiatrist and author Dr. John Mack has studied the case as well. Nobody has been able to prove that it is not real.
Intrigued? Check out some other spooky waterway hauntings in Maine by clicking here.
Paul Williams / Flickr
Allagash Brewing / Flickr
Christine and John Fournier / Flickr
Joe Popp / Flickr
Jack Heddon / Flickr
Ashley Bovan / Flickr
saragoldsmith / Flickr
Liam O’Malley / Flickr
The four men continue to claim that what happened was real, Ray Fowler maintains that it is possible and psychiatrist and author Dr. John Mack has studied the case as well. Nobody has been able to prove that it is not real.
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