Footsteps in the snow aren't usually something people pay too much attention to.  But, there are three legends that each signify different meanings for these simple markings in the snow. The first is an old legend saying that if you see footsteps in the snow by a grave, it means someone's soul has moved on, which is a reassuring and not spooky legend. There is also the urban legend of the footprints in the snow in someone's back yard which supposedly symbolized a peeping Tom which isn't nearly as pleasant as the footsteps by the grave one.

The most haunting however is the "devil's footsteps" legend.

This legend came to the Midwest in the 1900's but it originated in England in 1855.

The Devil's Footprints was a phenomenon that occurred during February 1855 around the Exe Estuary in East and South Devon, England. After a heavy snowfall, trails of hoof-like marks appeared overnight in the snow covering a total distance of some 40 to 100 miles

After a heavy snowfall, a series of hoof-like marks appeared in the snow. These footprints, most of which measured about four inches long, three inches across. Families still tell kids that the Devil is looking for them when they are bad, and that the foot prints can be seen after snow first falls.  This is extremely creepy to think about, I'm glad this isn't a scare tactic my parents used on me.

The main theory of what could have caused the markings is from Author Geoffrey whom suggested that "an experimental balloon" released by mistake from Devonport Dockyard was the cause.  Supposedly the balloon dragged shackles along the snow that created the hoof like tracks. Another theory of "jumping mice" which makes sense as the rodents would most likely have to hop to make it through the snow. These are the theories, but I wouldn't be completely convinced of their legitimacy if I experienced this sight firsthand.

Sure it's a goofy legend, but no still knows what caused those prints to this day.  Personally, I'd like to think they lead to a Checkers or something a little more lighthearted than "tracks to hell".

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