Legend of the Woe-Be-Gon

Wander beyond the concrete and glass borders of your reality.

Wander beyond the crooked path and lonesome stretch.

Wander to the home of the Hodag and the Wobegon.

And learn the lessons of the wind and stone, moss and rain.

The Story of the Wo-Be-Gon is a persistent tale told by loggers and hikers in the Northern Cascades. It is described as a humanoid figure with moose-like horns and a dark fur covering. It seems to frequent high elevation trails and alpine meadows. The following is an account of an encounter with a Wo-Be-Gon by a well respected mountain guide from the settlement of Silverton.

“I was traversing the trail that leads to Foggy Peak. I heard a rock come loose from the hillside above me. I turned to gauge the trajectory of the falling stone and saw it had been sent flying by the erroneous step of a figure on the switchback above. Upset at the man's ignorance, I called out in annoyance. The figure did not reply and I continued on my way.

I am a strong hiker and am accustomed to bypassing many. Though I could see this figure just ahead for most of my journey, I could not catch up with it.

There is a beautiful lake basin that marks the beginning of the final ascent to Foggy Peak. I decided to rest there, as my mysterious companion had compelled me to move quickly in anticipation of passing him and I was out of breath.

When I came to the last turn into the basin, I stopped in my tracks. Before me stood a creature over 6 feet tall, with arms and legs like yours and mine but with a rack of horns not unlike that of a moose and a fur coat over its torso and limbs that seemed to be the same texture as that of a deer. It turned from the fog bank it had been looking into and bellowed an acknowledgment of my arrival. It was entirely inhuman, but in that bellow was a warmth. A warning of slippery stones and thick fog. A helpful tip about the trail ahead. A well wishing for my journey, and a warm farewell. When I looked back up, it was gone, and my breath was back. And so I continued my journey."

A view of the pond at Gothic Basin