Winter cryptid sighting at Chickies Rock

Nestled between the quaint boroughs of Columbia and Marietta lies Chickies Rock, a natural spectacle and the second-largest county park in Lancaster. Spanning over 422 acres, the park’s main attraction is a towering outcrop of quartzite rock that rises 200 feet above the river, providing breathtaking views of York County, Marietta, and the lush farmlands of northwestern Lancaster County.

Chickies Rock is steeped in history, with visible remnants of its industrial age, including the ruins of seven iron furnaces, rolling mills, a canal, and a trolley line that once thrived here. But beyond its historical allure, the rock and its surroundings exude a captivating charm that has drawn people for centuries. Originally named Chiquesalunga by the Lenape—meaning “place of the crayfish”—the park continues to attract modern-day visitors with its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

However, Chickies Rock is more than just a picturesque park, but a portal to a mysterious past as it is wrapped in enigma and folklore. Home to ancient legends and tales of the supernatural, the rock has been a magnet for stories of ghosts, monsters, and even a curse linked to the Susquehannocks who once inhabited this land.

Here is the latest cryptid chapter added to the lore of Chickies Rock via a recent posting on Reddit.

Winter cryptid sighting at Chickies Rock

As the shadows lengthened over Chickies Rock on a chilly January evening during the winter of 2024, two brothers set out for a secretive smoke on the trail above the icy Susquehanna River. As the sun dipped further toward the horizon around 4:30, not quite dark but certainly on its way, the brothers walked in search of an isolated spot. The younger of the pair momentarily stepped just two feet off the trail to relieve himself, leaving the elder to press on alone.

With no other cars in the lot and not a soul in sight, the elder brother’s footsteps crunched softly in the cold air. Then, about thirty yards down the path, he paused, his eyes catching on an unusual figure. It was an animal unlike any he’d seen before—a bizarre mix that seemed part greyhound, part kangaroo, and part deer. It sported a coat of greyish-light fur and moved with peculiar, hoppy steps, pausing as if to stand upright on its hind legs.

He called out to his brother, who hurried back, zipping up his jacket as he came. Together, they watched the creature, which seemed to notice their presence. It stared at them for a moment as if curious or startled, then it turned and darted off the trail into the sparse winter woods.

They rushed to where the animal had been, their breath visible in the freezing air. The woods, stripped of leaves and bushes by the winter cold, offered no hiding spots, yet the creature had vanished without a trace. The openness between the trees, where they could usually see clearly, held nothing but the chill wind.

Bewildered and unable to explain what they had seen, the brothers exchanged a glance, each wondering if the local tales might hold a kernel of truth. They left the path that evening, deciding without words to let the mystery lie undisturbed, a peculiar encounter on a cold winter’s trail by the Susquehanna. Whatever they had seen was neither dog, deer, nor kangaroo, of that they were sure.

Of course, this isn’t the first story about the supernatural at Chickies Rock. Local legends hold that for decades, it has been home to the supernatural and the elusive apple-snatching Albatwitch.

16 Foot Tall Bandage Monster

One spine-chilling tale recounts the unnerving sightings of a monstrous entity first encountered in 1946. Towering at an astounding height of up to 16 feet, this creature is a nightmarish figure with neither arms nor legs to speak of. Its head, wrapped entirely in bandages, conceals its face, but from the sinister wrappings, knives eerily protrude, casting a terrifying silhouette against the misty backdrop of the park. This ghastly apparition has been enough to strike fear into even the most seasoned seekers of the supernatural, making it a chilling highlight of the area’s storied past.

Shadowy Hat Man

As recently as 2004, a tall, shadowy silhouetted man wearing a fedora-style hat and flowing cape was sighted at Chickies Rock. According to believers, these shadow people are supernatural entities, their forms flickering on walls and ceilings in the viewer’s peripheral vision. They move with quick, jerky movements, disappearing into walls or mirrors. They are believed to be evil and aggressive in nature.

Similarly, dressed specters exist in Native American lore throughout the country. They seem fond of remote areas and are usually seen standing atop cliffs and hills, where they act like sentries or guards.

As the legend goes, some believe this figure is the ghost of Wanunga, a tragic victim of a love triangle that ended in a murder-suicide. Others speculate that this is a Susquehannock apparition, a warning to stay off sacred Native American grounds. But the mystery deepens. Hikers, brave enough to venture into these remote areas, report hearing ghostly drumming. The sound, despite many attempts, has never been traced to its source, adding to the enigma of Chickies Rock.

Meet Columbia’s Little Bigfoot—the Albatwitch

In the chilling anthology of Chickies Rock ghost stories, one of the most unusual tales is documented by paranormal researcher and author Rick Fisher in his book, Ghosts of the River Towns. This particular story is not only peculiar but deeply personal to Fisher.

On a frigid morning in February 2002, Fisher was navigating Route 23 near Chickies Rock when he encountered something extraordinary. Initially, in the dim light, what he saw appeared to be a small, child-like figure wandering aimlessly in the middle of the road. As he approached, cautious not to harm what he presumed might be a lost child, Fisher describes what unfolded next: “A stick-thin figure, about five feet tall, covered with hair,” stood eerily still on the pavement.

Curious and concerned, Fisher activated his high beams for a clearer view. To his astonishment, the creature turned to face him, revealing a pair of glowing yellow eyes before it vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of its presence.

It was only later that Fisher discovered the identity of this mysterious figure—an albatwitch, a creature reputed in local folklore but seldom seen. The albatwitch, a term believed to derive from a Pennsylvania Dutch/English combination meaning “Apple-snitch” or perhaps from German origins suggesting “Apple-elf” or “gliding, escaping elf/spirit,” is described as a four-foot-tall hairy ape-man. Unlike a juvenile Bigfoot, the albatwitch is characterized by a slender, more human-like build, a distinct neck, and a notorious penchant for stealing apples, often observed hanging out in trees and hurling the fruit at unsuspecting passersby.

This bizarre creature is not new to the annals of local folklore. Both the Susquehannocks and Algonquins, indigenous to the region, have long recounted encounters with similar beings. The Susquehannocks depicted these creatures on their war shields, while the Algonquin spoke of a small, hairy hominid known as Megumoowesoos.

Legend has it that during the 1800s, albatwitches frequently terrorized picnickers at Chickies Rock by stealing their apples and spitefully tossing the cores back at them. Fisher’s personal encounter adds a contemporary layer to the rich tapestry of myths surrounding this enigmatic creature, forever intertwining his own story with the lore of Chickies Rock.

Read more

Read more haunted tales in Uncharted Lancaster’s Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure book. It is a journey through Lancaster County’s supernatural legends, macabre histories, and buried treasures.

Dare to explore the haunted heart of Pennsylvania with Uncharted Lancaster’s Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure—a spine-tingling journey through the strange, the forgotten, and the downright eerie corners of Lancaster County.

From spectral lanterns flickering in the Safe Harbor woods to the headless horseman of Ironville, each chilling tale blends real local history with gripping folklore. Author and adventurer Adam Zurn—founder of Uncharted Lancaster—uncovers tragic legends, buried secrets, and cryptid sightings that have haunted the region for generations.

But not all who wander are lost—some are chasing treasure. Alongside the ghost stories and monster sightings are thrilling tales of hidden gold, outlaw exploits, and long-lost relics. These adventures take readers deep into the hills, tunnels, and backroads of Lancaster County in search of mystery and myth.

Perfect for fans of local lore, amateur ghost hunters, and curious readers alike, this collection brings together meticulously researched stories with atmospheric illustrations that bring the supernatural to life.

Whether you’re a Lancaster local or just love a good ghost story, you’ll find yourself drawn into the shadows of these 64 unforgettable tales.

📕 Length: 275 pages
📏 Size: 6″ x 9″
📖 Format: Paperback and Hardcover

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• Lancaster, PA. Chickies rock. Was hoping someone would be able to help me with a mysterious creature