The Hiller Hammer
Date: May 24, 1994
Headline: Teen Sighting Raises Questions: Researcher Weighs in on Lonely Crest Lookout Encounter

From the archives. Contributor: Spence Hutchins, Curator of the Fulton Hills Historical Society.

By Morgan Vale

FULTON COUNTY— Last week, a group of Fulton Hills High School teens claimed to have experienced a night of high strangeness at Lonely Crest Lookout. Their account included glowing orbs in the woods, a deep, reverberating hum, and a fleeting glimpse of what some described as the legendary Hauntahk. While skeptics like Sheriff Tom Ackley have dismissed the story as late-night imagination fueled by teenage antics, cryptid researcher Maggie Arliss sees it differently.

Arliss, known for her books on Fulton County lore-and her work in The Loonies giving historical tours of all of Fulton County-believes the details are worth examining. “The Hauntahk has been described as a master of camouflage, blending seamlessly into its environment,” she explained. “Even so, it’s not unusual for sightings to occur in high-energy areas like party spots. For some reason, they’re drawn to these locations.”

She was particularly intrigued by the teens’ descriptions of glowing orbs in the forest. “Reports of unusual lights often accompany sightings of creatures like the Hauntahk,” Arliss said. “Folklore often attributes these lights to spirits or will-o’-the-wisps, but there could be a biological explanation. If the Hauntahk exists, bioluminescence—like that seen in deep-sea creatures—might explain the phenomenon. Alternatively, the lights could act as mimicry, confusing prey or scaring off potential threats.”  She added that the location of the sighting—deep and high up Yowle Mountain—makes it even more compelling. “Remote areas like these are often rich in both natural electromagnetic activity and folklore. The lights might be atmospheric phenomena, like ball lightning, but paired with the teens’ description of the Hauntahk, it suggests a deeper connection between the creature and its environment.”

Arliss also emphasized that the group’s shared experience lends credibility to the sighting. “Eyewitnesses can be unreliable about specific details, like colors or patterns, but the fact that they all reported seeing the lights suggests the claim is worth consideration.”

As for the eerie hum reported by the teens, Arliss said, “That sound is one of the most fascinating aspects. In cryptid lore, low-frequency vibrations are often associated with territorial displays or warnings. If the Hauntahk produces these sounds, it might be a form of communication or a way to disorient intruders.”

However, she didn’t rule out natural causes. “The mountains are full of unique geological and atmospheric features. The hum could be linked to seismic activity or underground water currents. Still, the timing of the sound alongside the sighting is compelling.”

Arliss cautioned that while the encounter is intriguing, it’s only a single report. “A single incident is tantalizing, but it’s repeated patterns that begin to blur the line between folklore and reality. If these reports continue, it could point to a pattern worth investigating further. It’s worth paying attention to.”

For now, what went down at Lonely Crest Lookout remains a mystery. Whether the teens encountered the Hauntahk, stumbled into an environmental anomaly, or simply let their imaginations run wild, one thing is clear: the legend of the Hauntahk continues to haunt Fulton Hills.