Bastyr University Gears Up for 14th Annual "Haunted Trails"

Bastyr University's annual “Haunted Trails” is returning for another year of spooky fun! Hosted in the forest behind Bastyr University's Kenmore campus for two consecutive Fridays and Saturdays (Oct. 12-13 and 19-20), the event is one of the biggest fright fests in the area and includes enjoyable activities for teenagers and adults, as well as trick-or-treating for younger children. It's all for a good cause, as proceeds benefit student study-abroad programs.

Created in 1998, Bastyr University's Haunted Trails has grown in size and popularity each year. It now attracts thousands of guests from throughout the greater-Seattle area. All proceeds support the University's study abroad programs, including the School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine's annual study trip to China. The fundraiser is run entirely by dedicated volunteer teams of Bastyr University students, faculty and staff.

Events for ages 8 and older (7-11 p.m.):  

1. Haunted Trails: Complete with ghosts, ghouls and goblins, the Haunted Trails tour through the forest offers frights and delights around every corner. The trail is set up this year with brand-new twists and turns — and a terror lurking behind every tree.

2. Hades Labyrinth: With ghouls and monsters haunting all who enter, participants must find their way through a 2,400-square-foot maze of misty tunnels or be lost forever.

3. Cemetery Hill: Is there anything creepier than a foggy cemetery at night? Yes — a foggy cemetery filled with the living dead.

4. Circus of Horrors: Evil clowns make for a nightmarish experience under the big top.

5. Mummy’s Tomb: It’s cool to see mummies of the past, until the embalmed dead arise.

Cost: $20 per person for all five events. Major credit cards accepted. Tickets are available for purchase at the event or at HauntedTrails.org. Ticket sales and check-in begin at 6:30 pm. The event is rain or shine and all ticket sales are final.

Please Note: A limited number of tickets are sold each night. Tickets are sold online and at the event, and if tickets are sold out online they may still be purchased at the event. Online buyers are encouraged to check in at the event by 8 p.m. to reserve their space in the event line. The second weekend of Haunted Trails (Oct. 19-20) can get very busy and tickets can sell out as early as 8:45 p.m. Visitors are advised to come the first weekend, Oct. 12-13, when lines are shorter.

For children younger than 8:

1. The Great Pumpkin’s Trick-or-Treating Adventure: Bring the kids for trick-or-treating at Bastyr University’s award-winning Student Village. Take pictures of the little ones as they get candy from some of their favorite characters. Cost is $5 per child. Cash only. (Runs 5-6:45 p.m.)
2. Children’s Carnival: Entertain the younger children with various games and events just for them. Cost is dependent on activities. Cash only. (Runs 5:30-9 p.m.)

Food, gags and more

Spook and Scare Shop: Buy glow sticks, glow wands, glow masks, glow Frisbees, monster balloons and more at this spook-and-scare store. ($1 off any glow item with the donation of a non-perishable food item.)

Food and drinks: Food and drinks are available for purchase at the event.

Parking: Free event parking is available on the Bastyr University campus, 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore, WA 98028.

For more information: Contact the Bastyr University Haunted Trails Hotline at (425) 602-3151 or go to HauntedTrails.org. To view scenes from last year’s event, watch the Haunted Trail & Hades Labyrinth 2011 video (media may use this video for broadcast, but please courtesy Bastyr University.)