The Dark Watchers of Santa Lucia: A Mysterious Phenomenon
The Santa Lucia Mountains in California have seen centuries worth of ghost stories for their seemingly ageless inhabitants: The Dark Watchers. These towering shadowy figures, which have been seen standing along the range, continue to mystify and fascinate locals and visitors alike. But who are they? And why are they watching? Let’s dive into the history and myths surrounding the Dark Watchers of Santa Lucia.
While the phenomenon of the Dark Watchers has received more attention in recent years, this is by no means a new legend. In fact, tales of these shadowy figures have been mentioned in both local native and Spanish colonial folklore for centuries. When the Spanish arrived in the 1700s, they dubbed the figures of Vigilantes Oscuros, which translates in English to "dark watchers." These oral traditions speak about an otherworldly presence that watches and protects the mountains from harm. But as most myths go, with time and retelling, their actual meaning and context become shrouded in mystery.
The dark watchers are typically seen along the Santa Lucia Range in California and most sightings seem to occur at twilight or dawn (liminal spaces, perhaps suggesting they are liminal beings). They are typically described as very tall, between 7 and 10 feet. They are human-shaped and are said to stand completely still, almost eerily so, and look out on the sea. Some reports have them clothed in long black cloaks, broad-brimmed hats, and sometimes holding a staff or walking stick. No other features have been described because no one has ever been close enough.
They seem to enjoy receiving gifts of fruits and flowers. They are known to shield themselves from hikers carrying guns or wearing waterproof clothing. However, those wearing more old-fashioned hiking gear are more likely to catch a glimpse.
In fact, the legend was so pervasive that John Steinbeck, who grew up in Salinas, wrote about them in his short story entitled Flight. In the story, a teenage Mexican-American boy kills a man and has to flee to Santa Lucias. As his mother hugs him goodbye, she reminds him desperately to say his prayers, take care of the horse, and "when thou comest to the high mountains, if thou seest any of the dark watching men, go not near them nor try to speak to them." It isn't surprising the dark watchers found themselves in Steinbeck's body of work. Why? Well, his mom, Olive, used to leave gifts for them. It is said if you want to catch a glimpse of the dark watchers you need to bring a gift or offering. Olive often brought fruit or flowers.
There are several theories behind the origins of the Dark Watchers. One hypothesis is that this could be a local native acknowledgment of traditional spirits and guardians that watch over the mountains. Others believe that they could be Spanish colonial soldiers who watched for incoming ships in the ocean, given that they appeared to look out towards the sea. And yet, some claim it could be aliens or supernatural beings.
And, don't worry skeptics, I have some not-so-fantastical theories for you, too! Of course, one of the most popular suggestions is the eerie shadows are caused by swaying trees obscured in fog and that us seeing humans is a form of pareidolia. Another theory is that they are a Brocken specter. These are a quirk of science and happen when shadows, like that of a fellow hiker, are cast particularly high on mountain peaks, especially when it’s misty. If the sun is behind the observer, the mist plays with the shadow and makes it look impossibly huge. The shadow may even appear to move or suddenly vanish if the mist breaks apart in the breeze.
Despite the vast amount of sightings over the years, there is no recorded evidence of any Dark Watcher ever harming anyone. Instead, they appear to be more of an enigmatic presence, forever watching. However, the very few that have approached them say they vanish in an instant. That may be why sightings remain somewhat rare and fleeting.
The Dark Watchers of Santa Lucia have captured people's fascination for many years. Although many claim that they have seen these shadowy figures, there is still no concrete evidence of their existence. The stories and tales surrounding these mysterious entities are woven tales of the supernatural, colonial days, and local legends.
The blog feature image depicts View of Peñon Peak within The Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel, California taken by Rosenbergwrite. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Thanks to Joe M for the blogstonishng suggestion!