These instances have happened in broad daylight and yes, I was sober. The last time it happened I told myself not turn around, be sure, test it. I slowed down my pace until I was barely walking and still, I heard the crunching of footsteps coming up on me.
It's strange because there is a creepy feeling associated with it that tells me it's not just another hiker getting ready to pass me, something is different, it's like the person is following only a few feet away but, won't overtake me.
Anyway that last time, I thought, I've tested this enough, it can't be acoustic echos, somebody is right on my heels, only.... I stopped turned around and the trail was as empty as far as I could see down it.
I know, it sounds like the ravings of a lunatic. No need to point that out.
Not lunatic. This world is far weirder than most people acknowledge. My experiences were somewhat different, in that I initiated the exchanges. However, I have experienced what you did, ie. an outside entity, but I was aware of them upfront. Take it for what it is worth.
Not strange at all. Read the “Missing 411” series of books and you will see what I mean (read the reviews on Amazon).
Paint Creek Trail in Rochester, Michigan? I remember reading about a murder/suicide that took place along that trail many years ago. As I recall, it involved a young couple who were about to get married. They used to love walking the trail together. No one knows for sure what happened, but one day they were both found dead on the trail.
Are you sure you’re hearing just one pair of footsteps behind you?
I’ve had similar things happen to me. Once was in heavy fog in England, other occasions here in the states in the woods.
What can happen sometimes is the sound of your footsteps can reflect back off of fog or foliage, but if you stop it should stop also. If you stop and you hear more than a couple more footsteps then it’s not that.
Next time you’re out walking have your phone tap tehe walk...
Next time you’re out walking have your phone tape the walk...
My sister tells of an incident during which she was walking down a hall in her house when she suddenly felt hands grasping her shoulders firmly and pulling her back. She forcefully wrenched herself free of the grasp and turned to face the intruder. You guess it. There was nobody there.
When I was about 7...25 years ago... I was playing with the two boys who lived next door. It was getting late and I decided to head back home. I was walking by myself and right about where our yard bordered theirs I heard a voice from a few feet behind me... sounded like an old man....say “Hey, kid!” I turned around and there was no one there. The boys were still in their house and there was no place where someone could have been hiding. I was totally alone. I still wonder about that sometimes.