Trail of Terror

When William S. Hart deeded his Newhall house and ranch to the Los Angeles County as a museum and park, he hoped to “pay back the people who gave their nickels, dimes and quarters to see me.”

Today, 51 years after the silent-movie star died in 1946, his generous bounty is still with us: 265 acres of hiking, riding and nature trails, camping and picnic areas, an assortment of farm animals, plus a herd of bison, which were donated by Disney Studios in 1962.

But the western star may not have anticipated such events as the second annual “Haunted Trails,” happening on the old trail for three nights this weekend. Yet he probably would have approved of some of the spirits that will be making special appearances.

The event, recommended for children “ages 6 to 93,” is a 15- to 20-minute guided trek up the dark, heavily forested trail. It starts at the barn by the park office, where hikers may purchase tickets, and ends at the crest of the hill, just before the musuem road.

“The spirits will be partying inside the mansion, so it will be closed that night,” explains event coordinator Nick Mitchell.

But event-goers, he says, are in for a high-spirited half a mile of blood-curdling sights and sounds, from a howling, wild-animal cemetery, to a “hangin’ tree” full of cattle rustlers at the junction, a spooky Medicine Man on a log, and a werewolf drama at the old bunkhouse--as well as more traditional frights like Frankenstein and assorted creeps, ghouls and dead folks.

All along the way, people hidden behind rocks and trees will be jumping out, making every step of the trip “eventful,” says Mitchell. He estimates that 200 hours were logged planning the occasion.

Mitchell, 18, is the newest staff member of the William S. Hart Museum, for which the event is a fund-raiser. He will work with a slew of dedicated volunteers coordinating “whatever needs to be turned on and off” and helping with makeup and costumes.

Participants will walk alongside trees dancing with colored spotlights, on a path strewn with stones that glow.

The centerpiece at the fork of the trail is the graveyard, which will be bathed in black light, with glowing gravestones emitting chilling moans and unearthly screams.

And there’ll also be some surprises. Some, like the one with the “innocent tourists” who get dragged behind a fence, will be planned, says Mitchell, while others will not.

“Last year at the graveyard, someone’s father just picked up a shovel and dragged it across the asphalt, making this unholy sound, then screamed and jumped over a fence. It was great, and we didn’t even know it was coming!”

BE THERE

“Haunted Trails,” Friday-Sunday, 7-9 p.m., William S. Hart Park, 24151 San Fernando Road, Newhall. (805) 259-0855. $4 per person. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent.