The Infamy of Black Star Canyon

Blackstar Canyon is perhaps the most haunted land in all of California. Blackstar historically was the place where the last "free roaming" Indians were massacred by Spanish ranchers. Many speculate that the massacre of the native people is the reason the valley remains haunted to this day. Sightings of hooded figures and large dark figures are common in this strange valley. In 1878 the Black Star Mining Company was formed after coal was found near the head of the canyon. The canyon's name came from this company. The mining operation was shortly discontinued reportedly because of poor coal quality. It is unknown if any died in the canyon during these later years

Orange County, California has a paranormal hot spot right under our noses that many have heard of but few have investigated. In the Santiago foothill range of the Cleveland National Forest lays Black Star Canyon. Revered for it’s scenic hiking trails, native wildlife, and ideal routes for the avid mountain bike enthusiast, what happens after dark is what most notably the canyon is infamous for.

It is no secret that most teenagers in the local cities surrounding Black Star Canyon are aware that it is the ideal location to do what bored teenagers do best. Because of the remoteness, yet easy accessibility, the “night crowd” do frequent the secluded canyon often. There are a few residents that still reside on private parcels of land who are a bit possessive and attempt to deter “city folk” from exploring the trails outright, but the trails themselves are owned by the county and are not considered private. There have been many reports of intimidation, confrontations, and conflicts regarding these “canyon dwellers” and Orange County locals.

Black Star Canyon itself has been the subject of local lore and urban legend for as long as I can remember. Rumors of Ku Klux Klan meetings, Satanic rituals, occults, and murders as a regular occasion, are still presumed to be occurring. Despite these rumors, and warnings from local law enforcement, the canyon continues to attract thrill-seekers and drunken teenagers at night, eager for a paranormal encounter. A “night hike” at Black Star Canyon has become somewhat of a rite of passage to some local teenagers.

What is true is that there have been verified police reports of harassment and unfriendly encounters with canyon residents. Many reports of random gunshots having been fired in proximity to visitors day and night, trucks narrowly avoiding visitors as they pass by on the trails at high speed. The residents and “neighborhood” in the upper canyon have been said to invoke images comparable to that of such movies as, “Deliverance”, “the Hills have Eyes”, and “the Crazies”.

I myself have been to Black Star Canyon at night with friends more than once while I was attending high school, and have had a few “scares” as a witness to some strange events. I will share them later if this post gets off the ground and anybody is interested. I could compare my experience to something close to the movie “Blair Witch Project”. And, I will say I have not been back to that place since my last visit….

I have provided links to some threads devoted to Black Star Canyon, and the documented paranormal events that have occurred if anyone would like more information. This place does exist, and for myself is considered very interesting and worthy of investigating.


en.wikipedia.org...

www.blackstaradventures.com...

I am curious. To any ATS members: Are you familiar with Black Star Canyon? Have you ever been? Would you share any experiences you may have?

I do plan on returning to the canyon at night soon with some of the same high school friends I went there with years ago. We plan on documenting this trip with video cameras in the event we do witness “something” again.

For anyone who has been there, it was at the “school bus” where my experience occurred.

Does every Highshool have this story, I went to Whittier High (same HS as Nixon and where Back to the future filmed) , Southern Ca school.

We had Turnbull Canyon, pretty much the exact same story.

The legend of Turnbull Canyon.

reply to post by theAmericanStory


No but I have been to similar places. I like a good scare every now and then and I have confirmed my belief in the paranormal when I was about 14 and woke up at the same time as my step brother to the sound of the drums being played in the middle of the night.

This is off topic though, because I think that there is a difference between getting your kicks and actually having a spirit or a lost soul becoming attached to you , which I try to avoid.

I have been wondering if anyone has tried any of the ghost apps on the iPhone or similar, because I got really interested reading the reviews on any of them but was convinced that technology is the perfect way for a lost soul to attach. But one day my curiosity gave way and I downloaded the app and I have to admit, it made the hair stand up the back of my neck and I deleted it. I kept it on my computer of course for later use.

reply to post by benrl


Yes. I am aware of Turnbull Canyon as well. From what I've been told Turnbull Canyon is ten times more ominous and dangerous. I have heard it is even sealed off nowadays with a fence topped with razor wire you'd find outside of prisons, more so to keep gangbangers out. I don't think anybody resides there do they?

reply to post by theAmericanStory


Used to go up there all the time with my friends to drink, its not bad at all, more hype than anything. There are however gangs and such even back than, now id imagine it was a bit more. Not of the age where hanging out at spooky canyons in the middle of the night appeals to me.

I remember there was another one of these types of canyons we heard stories about off the 57 in brea, so we checked it out, that's where I had a strange light follow my car and my friends at three am.

reply to post by thehoneycomb

Hey there.I dont have an iPhone,but just for interest sake,what are these ghost apps supposed to do? And did you experience anything that gave you the creeps?Im always interested in paranormal experiences,as ive had quite a few myself,and grew up in a house that had spirits.Also im a sensitive,i sense when there's a spirit in my immediate vicinity.My policy has been to ignore any spirit/entity i sense,though.One has usualy enough problems in the "seen" world,to get still wanna get involved in the "unseen",well thats how i feel.And many of the spirits ive had to share a living space with,felt hostile+makevolent,so that put me off,too.Fascinating,though,to read about other's experiences.

How odd to come across a thread about this place. I haven't thought about it in years. I can't add personal experience because I never got up into Black Star, but I'll certainly vouch for the local reputation and weird nature of that canyon. My friends and I hiked and camped over in Silverado Canyon at the mines above the parking area. At least what was back then. Heck, I had more than one odd experience there, and that was a distance over from Black Star. I'd be interested in hearing what you experienced there.

I'm just thinking to myself that it was the late 1980's up to around 1990 I was hiking/weekend camping up there. It's so interesting to hear that the legends and actual odd experiences sound to be as much a factor today as it was then.

Well, for anyone who comes on claiming it's a recent fad or something locals are just doing to play pranks, be sure to go back over 20 years (ugh...it's been that long? lol). Great topic!

OP,

I would love to hear some of your experiences!!!

reply to post by Raxoxane


Well I can't explain how it works exactly so forgive me about the bad explanation I am about to give you. It picks up on different frequencies using infrared technology I think. That in which if there was a spirit around it would be able to communicate words. If yo ever have a chance research ghost apps, there are many with different names but in theory they all work about the same. They also have a huge following and may lead you to other sites that can explain better then I could. Problem for me was trying to differentiate in the reviews what might be a young child making a far fetched claim or that of a legitimate case.

In any case if you can not try the app an an iPhone or similar device yourself reading the reviews can be quite entertaining.

The app picks up a perimeter around you and different colored dots appear. Throughout my life though it is worth noting that I feel that I have been protected somehow against negative spiritual or hostile spirits. The red dots are hostile and there are other dots that represent other things and are less hostile. I noticed that there was a red dot on mine but it stayed to the outer perimeter as if it was not able to approach. I saw a few other dots appear to me that were blue and yellow I think and they were close and the app started to kick out words.

It said ring, answer, aside, angry, a few other words and then the word Wilson.

Then the phone rang and I answered and was talking to a friend and beside me was my girlfriend and she later got pretty angry with me for being on the phone and I became angry with her when she interrupted me after I left for the other room and then tried to talk over me when I was having a conversation on the phone, which is like my biggest pet peeve. Anyhow, it ended up being a pretty bad argument after that and I slept on the couch that night. Which is rare for us, we typically don't fight.

Anyhow by the next morning we had resolved our differences and I was thinking about the Wilson thing wondering what the hell was that supposed to mean. I thought maybe my football in the backyard was a wilson. But as we were in the car the next day we passed a place called Wilson's they sold Jewelry.

Many of the reviews re a lot like that, some more interesting then that. Like for instance they might mention the name of a relative and the next day that person using the app might come to find that the person had died or injured. Sometimes it just warns of an accident of some sort like a paper cut.

In any case when I was using it, it made the hair stand off my neck and I decided to delete it after that.

Now apologies OP for going off topic on this. But it might be worth considering if you tried.

As for bringing a camera, there was one time a brought my video camera to the grave yard and began filming. Everything that I filmed at the location had a magnetic disturbance on the tape which made it unusable. However the parts of the tape before and after filming at the graveyard were just fine.

Anyhow I typically enjoy trying out different haunted places and have a few stories to tell on that subject.

reply to post by smyleegrl


Sorry for the late response,

I have been to Black Star canyon four times in the late nineteen nineties with groups of friends as mentioned. The first time to the canyon I experienced quite a few scares, however I ruled them out as natural occurrences. Because of where the canyon lay and it's unique topography, it is not uncommon for a strong gust of wind to kick up randomly on a completely still night. I had also a predetermined in my mind of what it would be like and what "could" transpire, so I can genuinely say that my expectations were more self-fulfilled.

It was the fourth (and final) time I was at the canyon that my experience occurred. The previous three times we had gone to the canyon were all on moonlit nights, twice on a full moon (or close). This fourth night in September there was no moon at all. September and the few following months in Orange county are notorious for the wind event known as "Santa Ana Winds". These are predominantly strong, warm, and dry north eastern winds. To be in a canyon pass is probably not the wisest or safest place to be.

We reached the locked gate that prevents unauthorized vehicles from continuing any further, this is where everybody parks. As usual, there were the teens "tailgating" and drinking beers, most are friendly and simply offer wise cracks like "If you don't come out can I keep your car?" Things of that nature. Dismissing them with a chuckle, we proceeded after checking our Mag-Lites and cell phones.

The wind that night was intermittent and breezy, just enough to rattle the trees and kick up dust. At about five minutes into our trek it was becoming extremely dark which we were not used to, so we turned our flashlights on to the trail ahead. At that exact moment, no more than ten yards ahead two black "figures" dashed to opposite sides of the trail into the brush at an impossible speed. We confirmed to each other that we had all seen this , yet reassured ourselves that it was more than likely deer. So we continue.

Further on the wind became more steady and regular. As we progressed through the darkness, we stopped and inquired of one another if anyone was hearing what sounded like voices "whispering" on either side of the trail, following us since our encounter with the "figures". We all replied "yes". It could have been the wind playing tricks we discussed, but these were undoubtedly becoming more audible as recognizable voices the further we went. It was then that my hair began to stand on end. We huddled close and agreed to go forth, as this was the reason we came in the first place, to seek out the experiences so many have reported.

The further we went, I was becoming more and more uncomfortable. An overwhelming sense that we were unwelcome came over me, and a knot in my stomach was protesting with my brain not to proceed. Upon arriving at the famed "overturned school bus" was when we all saw them. Down a twenty foot embankment lies the remains of a school bus. Unconfirmed, but legend has it that in the seventies, a bus full of school children on a field trip went off the trail road killing all the occupants.

The wind had come to a complete stand still. I could hear my own heartbeat from the exertion of the hike and my own anxiety. We shone our lights down upon the bus when we realized we were looking at what appeared to be more than several "child-sized" hand prints on the windows. They looked "fresh". My friend removed his camera from his satchel and was about to attempt a photograph, when six rapid and incredibly loud pounding noises came from the bus itself. Needless to say we didn't stick around, as we hightailed it out of there with our tails between our legs.

Literally running at full speed back down the trail, but not more than a few hundred feet from the bus, is when a huge gust of wind hit us from behind knocking us all over to the ground. It was as if the wind itself was our "escort" out, confirming that we had come to a place we were not invited to. As the wind at our backs became a deafening roar, those "voices" had returned. Within the wind theses voices sounded like a long, drawn out and painful "Goooooooooo".

Running hard and clutching our flashlights, the beams were shone in different directions, pulsating with the motion of our fleeing bodies. As a beam from a friend's flashlight briefly highlighted a thicket of brush as we were running by, I saw four tall dark "figures" to the left. For the split second I saw them, I was able to discern that the figures had a translucent quality. I ran even faster.

I don't need to tell you that we finally made it to our cars and home alive, obviously.

I am running out of" "characters".

I will simply state that this DID happen, many report similar if not more frightening incidents. Whether it be the canyon residents, or true phenomena, something IS going on !!

reply to post by smyleegrl


Sorry for the late response,

I have been to Black Star canyon four times in the late nineteen nineties with groups of friends as mentioned. The first time to the canyon I experienced quite a few scares, however I ruled them out as natural occurrences. Because of where the canyon lay and it's unique topography, it is not uncommon for a strong gust of wind to kick up randomly on a completely still night. I had also a predetermined in my mind of what it would be like and what "could" transpire, so I can genuinely say that my expectations were more self-fulfilled.

It was the fourth (and final) time I was at the canyon that my experience occurred. The previous three times we had gone to the canyon were all on moonlit nights, twice on a full moon (or close). This fourth night in September there was no moon at all. September and the few following months in Orange county are notorious for the wind event known as "Santa Ana Winds". These are predominantly strong, warm, and dry north eastern winds. To be in a canyon pass is probably not the wisest or safest place to be.

We reached the locked gate that prevents unauthorized vehicles from continuing any further, this is where everybody parks. As usual, there were the teens "tailgating" and drinking beers, most are friendly and simply offer wise cracks like "If you don't come out can I keep your car?" Things of that nature. Dismissing them with a chuckle, we proceeded after checking our Mag-Lites and cell phones.

The wind that night was intermittent and breezy, just enough to rattle the trees and kick up dust. At about five minutes into our trek it was becoming extremely dark which we were not used to, so we turned our flashlights on to the trail ahead. At that exact moment, no more than ten yards ahead two black "figures" dashed to opposite sides of the trail into the brush at an impossible speed. We confirmed to each other that we had all seen this , yet reassured ourselves that it was more than likely deer. So we continue.

Further on the wind became more steady and regular. As we progressed through the darkness, we stopped and inquired of one another if anyone was hearing what sounded like voices "whispering" on either side of the trail, following us since our encounter with the "figures". We all replied "yes". It could have been the wind playing tricks we discussed, but these were undoubtedly becoming more audible as recognizable voices the further we went. It was then that my hair began to stand on end. We huddled close and agreed to go forth, as this was the reason we came in the first place, to seek out the experiences so many have reported.

The further we went, I was becoming more and more uncomfortable. An overwhelming sense that we were unwelcome came over me, and a knot in my stomach was protesting with my brain not to proceed. Upon arriving at the famed "overturned school bus" was when we all saw them. Down a twenty foot embankment lies the remains of a school bus. Unconfirmed, but legend has it that in the seventies, a bus full of school children on a field trip went off the trail road killing all the occupants.

The wind had come to a complete stand still. I could hear my own heartbeat from the exertion of the hike and my own anxiety. We shone our lights down upon the bus when we realized we were looking at what appeared to be more than several "child-sized" hand prints on the windows. They looked "fresh". My friend removed his camera from his satchel and was about to attempt a photograph, when six rapid and incredibly loud pounding noises came from the bus itself. Needless to say we didn't stick around, as we hightailed it out of there with our tails between our legs.

Literally running at full speed back down the trail, but not more than a few hundred feet from the bus, is when a huge gust of wind hit us from behind knocking us all over to the ground. It was as if the wind itself was our "escort" out, confirming that we had come to a place we were not invited to. As the wind at our backs became a deafening roar, those "voices" had returned. Within the wind theses voices sounded like a long, drawn out and painful "Goooooooooo".

Running hard and clutching our flashlights, the beams were shone in different directions, pulsating with the motion of our fleeing bodies. As a beam from a friend's flashlight briefly highlighted a thicket of brush as we were running by, I saw four tall dark "figures" to the left. For the split second I saw them, I was able to discern that the figures had a translucent quality. I ran even faster.

I don't need to tell you that we finally made it to our cars and home alive, obviously.

I am running out of" "characters".

I will simply state that this DID happen, many report similar if not more frightening incidents. Whether it be the canyon residents, or true phenomena, something IS going on !!

reply to post by theAmericanStory


What an incredible, and frightening, story! Have you considered going back with equipment or to attempt an investigation?

By the way, you are a gifted writer. It was like reading a novel. Just a thought

We are in fact planning a return visit to the canyon, sometime in September again. It is funny. We were all there, the car ride home that night was quiet and none of us really had spoken of it since. There are plenty of videos of Black Star canyon posted on Youtube if you want to familiarize yourself, most are hoaxes and/or poorly "scripted productions". We however would like to take a little more serious approach, get in contact with a medium, etc. and document it. Will let you all know when more develops and is closer to the date. It will definitely go on ATS to say the least.

Wow im living in orange county/ Hollywood area...I want to visit this place now!

reply to post by theAmericanStory


Dam this is interesting we don't have any stuff like this where I'm from you're lucky would be awesome to check something like this out

I've been up there before,however not at night.My father grew up in silverado during the time of the bad floods and such( late 50's all through the 60's and some 70's)
He used to roam around blackstar canyon daily with his friends,he claims they never once had a problem or saw anything or felt anything weird,the only time they felt scared was at night because a hermit used to live up there.he said one day marines were flying over and the hermit shot at the helicopters,they arrested him.
The scary place he can remember was called peter's canyon,(its now houses) Him and his brothers (4 of them)
went there one night because there was a story of a witch.He said his brother gary got out of the truck and kept cursing at the tree ( story on this incoming) and lone behold a ball of light came out of the tree,they all jumped in the truck and took off and he said the light followed behind them at about 3 ft all the way back up the canyon road.
there was about 7 or 8 people that witnessed that.

the story of the peters canyon witch from what i've heard is this.
one night a man and his wife ran out of fuel and it was raining they pulled off under a big tree,the man told his wife he will be back,hes gonna walk to the gas station a few miles away,she then proceeded to fall asleep,she woke up around 6 or 7 AM to scratching on the windshield,she got out of the car and saw her husband hanging upside down with his neck ripped out. and i guess some old lady who lived near there claimed she did it,and that she was a witch or something odd like that.

if anyone finds anything online about this let me know! me and my pops would appreciate it.

a reply to: blackgoldwolf
Hello,
I am from Yorba Linda, and my mother grew up in Orange, and I remember her telling me the story of Peters Canyon! Not only that, there is a pulp fiction style comic called weird or strange ghost stories, and one of the stories is of that canyon and the artwork on the cover depicts the woman ghost!! I actually owned it at one time, but lost it and have never been able to remember the name let alone find it AGAIN!! Anyway, I was searching for this very information tonight, when I was directed to this site!! You let me know if you find out anything else please!!

a reply to: theAmericanStory

Hi theAmericanStory

I'm working on a TV show about National Park Mysteries and would love to include your story about Black Star Canyon. If you're interested, please private message me.

Thanks

a reply to: theAmericanStory

Night vision?
I would LOVE to hear about night hikes.

Hi NPMysteries,

I have contacted you through e-mail which was forwarded by ATS to my own personal e-mail. Thank you for your interest !!