While based on true events, the following is a work of fiction. The names have not been changed because nobody associated with this story is innocent.
On June 26, 1999, a group of friends ascended the Icehouse Trail near Mount Baldy and disappeared. Four weeks later, negatives from a camera of one of the participants were found.
Using documentary evidence culled from these negatives, as well as police records and interviews with experts and witnesses, The Gypsy Rag has reconstructed the events which led to this tragedy. What began as a simple door prize became a nightmare which unleashed a centuries-old curse, according to Eduardo Myrick, author of the forthcoming book Legacy of the Icehouse.
"There was this charity auction where one of the members won this hike for about twenty people. It was advertised as a simple but challenging day hike which would be led by an experienced guide and lunch would be provided," Myrick said. "It appears that some had no idea what to expect."
Things started badly for the group even before reaching the guide’s home. Records from the California Highway Patrol indicate one of the group’s members was cited for speeding on the morning of June 26. The officer’s report suggested that the vehicle appeared to be racing two other vehicles; these were later ascertained to belong to members of the doomed group.
"They were very eager but kind of weird," recalled the guide’s daughter Emily, who along with her mother were the only survivors. "I think they belonged to the Renaissance Faire, because they would always talk about gypsies and called each other these strange names. I followed behind them for most of the hike so I couldn’t say much more."
The
party arrived at the trailhead about 8:30 a.m. "We have a picture of the
group which appears to have been taken before they started the hike," Myrick
said. "There are eleven, not counting the guide and her daughter. We were
able to use these photographs to form a chronology of the events."
The Icehouse Trail is so named for a small building which served as a storehouse for ice blocks cut for iceboxes during the early 1900’s. Native American settlements have also been found in the area. Myrick’s research suggests that there is something more sinister about the area’s history as well.
"Locals tell of two caves located off the trail which was used for mining
copper and iron. The story goes that when the miners started excavating, they
disturbed a sacred burial site. There is evidence that the miners abruptly stopped
their digging and disappeared with no trace. The entire mining operation folded
soon afterwards.
"There are also stories about a cursed mountain spring," Myrick continued. "It is said that grave misfortune will fall on those who drink or otherwise use the water from this spring, which apparently is associated with the caves. We have pictures showing these people using the spring and going inside at least one of the caves. They did everything wrong."
Emily confirmed that some members of the party did find a mountain spring and discovered a cave which she and others entered. "We had to crouch down to get inside, but the tunnel did not go very far. It just stopped." She also said she did not drink from the spring, but others did.
According
to police testimony obtained by the Rag, the party had split up after
reaching the mountain spring. Some wanted to stay at the spring while others
continued up the trail until they reached a saddleback area to rest and have
lunch. Emily later testified that she and her mother left the party to investigate
something "unusual" up another trail. When they returned, everyone
was gone. Backtracking to the mountain spring, they discovered the area deserted.
Emily and her mother were questioned by the police and were released. No charges were filed.
After an intensive search throughout the area by police and rescuers, including the help of several Boy Scout troops camping nearby, no remains nor evidence of the lost party could be found. Four weeks later, a badly worn disposable camera with what was later to be determined stains of human blood was delivered to the Rag. After developing the film, the negatives were turned over to the police.
From
this evidence, some questions may be answered. "We know that the group
survived for some time after their disappearance as indicated by the length
of the shadows in the pictures," Myrick said. "We can also see that
at least one of their party was injured, because we have a picture of one with
his leg being bandaged.
"But the most telling thing about these pictures is what we don’t see," Myrick added. "We have several group photos, but there are always fewer and fewer people in each succeeding picture. Most are smiling, but you can plainly see the look of desperation in their faces. So what we suspect is that members began disappearing one by one until nobody was left."
Police authorities interviewed for this article disagree with Myrick’s assessment. "While we have not ruled out foul play, I would not be surprised if they’re hanging out somewhere having a good laugh at our expense," one officer commented who asked his name to be withheld.
Several
of the pictures depict a woman wearing a baseball cap with the insignia of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. An FBI spokesperson refused comment.
As for Myrick’s suggestion of a cursed mountain spring, hikers interviewed by the Rag expressed disbelief. "I use that spring every time I come up here and nothing bad has happened to me yet," claimed one hiker.
See more pictures of the doomed party.