caster tours

• City of Georgetown

Spell Caster Ghost Tours

Spell Caster Ghost Tours blends History and Hauntings for a Ghostly stroll through Historic Downtown Georgetown. The Ghost Maker Tour is an Adults-Only Ghost Tour with a splash of True Crime ($24.95) and the Ghosts of Old Georgetown is an All-Ages Ghost Tour ($21.95/$12.95) just spooky enough for the entire family. Tours are every Friday & Saturday night, and Private Tours are available seven nights a week.

Book at   SpellCasterGhostTours.com or call 737-738-3669 – Discount Tickets are available for Military, Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Seniors.

Dave's Travel Corner

Seeing the World One Step at a Time

Our interviews focus on the travel, entertainment and lifestyle industry, with people who are making valuable contributions in their particular fields.

Gretchen upshaw, founder of spell caster ghost tours.

April 8, 2023 by Teh Chin Liang 1 Comment

Gretchen Upshaw and her familiar, Boy Cat

When she went back home to Austin, she announced to her friends that she was going to leave her job as an Executive Director for a culinary school, move to New Orleans, and become a ghost tour guide, which she did about 6 months later.

Two months into her stint as a tour guide, she was offered the position of General Manager – which she held for 6 years until she decided to move back to Texas and start her own ghost tour company – Spell Caster Ghost Tours.

Gretchen spoke about her thoughtfully curated ghost tours and why paranormal tourism is gaining traction in my recent interview with her.

An innate gift and immense passion for the paranormal

As a young child, Gretchen had encountered supernatural occurrences and was fortunate enough to have understanding parents who never doubted her ability to see things that others could not.

“As time went by, the sightings never really stopped. And I continued to seek answers by way of the esoteric arts.”

Storytelling is what she loves the most about running Spell Caster Ghost Tours. Her love of storytelling stems from her past experiences as an education and program director for a film school.

Georgetown Private Tour on the steps of Williamson County Courthouse in The Square

In Georgetown, she saw the potential of paranormal tourism. It is also where her parents lived.

“After about 3 months of living in Georgetown, I began to think about all the different industries I had worked in and what I enjoyed most. That’s when the idea of ghost tours dawned on me.”

Georgetown is only 30 minutes from Austin. It has grown rapidly over the past 4 years. Her research on the area of Williamson County unraveled many great stories and interesting historical facts, all of which spurred her to create Spell Caster Ghost Tours.

“The Chisholm Trail ran through downtown Georgetown. It was very much the Old West. Fast forward to the 20th century, our jail held one of America’s most famous serial killers, Henry Lee Lucas. The historical dots connect rather unexpectedly – Lucas was arrested in Montague County, Texas, and then transferred to Georgetown. Montague County is where most of the cattle on the Chisholm Trail were being gathered at the end of the Civil War.”

“Georgetown is not Savannah or New Orleans, but it has a safe, quaint, and sought-after charm like no other.”

Tour participants gather in front of the courthouse

Family-friendly and adults-only ghost tours

Spell Caster offers 2 tours in Georgetown: The Ghosts of Old Georgetown ( family-friendly ghost tour) and The Ghost Maker Tour (adults-only ghost tour).

Both tours explore the history and hauntings of downtown Georgetown; however, Ghost Maker Tour weaves in a bit of true crime for a spicier experience.

In addition, there is a monthly adults-only tour named Taylor’s Spirits After Dark that takes place in the neighboring town, Taylor.

“Taylor is very different from Georgetown, but equally as interesting and notoriously haunted!”

“I’d love to perhaps get a few investigations/ghost hunts on our 2023 calendar. There are many other towns that I have been considering opening tours in this summer.”

Good ghost stories spice up a potentially tedious history tour

“People seem to be genuinely interested in the paranormal – skeptics and believers alike. We are in a time where history is so controversial, to the point that it is being rewritten. I think many people want to be fed historically accurate information so they can better understand our current climate.”

Straight-up history tours can be a bit dry.  Gretchen believes that a good ghost tour satiates both interests – history and hauntings.

“Spell Caster delivers historically accurate information, with some good ghost stories thrown in for good measure.”

Gretchen believes that the best thing any ghost tour can offer is personal experiences.

“Whether it’s from local business owners, staff at an establishment, or a guest on a tour, being able to share a personal experience creates a more dynamic story.”

You don’t have to be a “believer” to enjoy a ghost tour. It’s a great way to learn about the town/city while getting entranced by some spooky stories.

Gretchen’s advice for the tour participants – Wear comfortable shoes (Tours are about a mile-long walk) and dress for the weather or bring an umbrella. Show your guide some appreciation if you find the tour intriguing.

Williamson County Courthouse on the Ghosts of Old Georgetown Ghost Tour

Every ghost tour company has its own formula

“Some tour guides are in period costumes and really focus on the era, while others may attempt to elevate the spookiness of the stories with some embellishments.”

“Our Ghost Maker Tour is basically History + True Crime = Hauntings. We paint a picture of the dark history, then weave in the tragedies or traumas that have each tour stop inevitably ending with a ghost or two.”

“Most of the locals realized they had no idea about some of the history of their hometown. And out-of-town visitors like hearing the sordid secrets that aren’t available in the visitor center’s brochures.”

The best take-home souvenir

The best takeaways from the tours? Gretchen hopes the tours will bring a wonderful experience to all the participants and inspire them to start doing a little research on their own.

Gretchen hopes that the memory of a Spell Caster Ghost Tour can be the best souvenir a visitor takes home with them, as well as a great night for the locals.

“Of course, I hope folks talk about us with enthusiasm and fondness.”

Old Williamson County Jail

Tours for everybody, irrespective of your beliefs

Gretchen has never encountered any negative comments or accusations of promoting superstition, though there have been people broaching those topics with concerns.

“Beliefs are personal. I consider myself a skeptic around believers and a believer around skeptics – but I respect all beliefs.”

“If someone believes that they are putting themself in a precarious situation on a ghost tour, then I respect their fears and concerns. Nevertheless, I am more than willing to convince them otherwise.”

Hauntings are neither good nor evil

“I don’t see hauntings as good or evil. Most hauntings are probably the result of residual energies. As a woman, I know what it’s like to feel invisible, so I have compassion for active spirits – even the naughty ones.”

Gretchen does not expect everyone to share her thoughts or beliefs. She wants people to find the tours both exhilarating and informative – without fears or worries of supernatural consequences.

Participants turn up for the tour that takes place over Christmas.

Spine-chilling encounters

Ghost tours, as is self-explanatory, are nothing short of an eerie experience. Gretchen had experienced her fair share of spooky incidents.

“On one of my tours in New Orleans, we were standing on the corner across from the LaLaurie Mansion under a streetlight. When I said the name Lea, she was the little girl who died in the mansion, the streetlight suddenly went out.”

“We all looked at each other for a few seconds, some with goosebumps, and then I carried on. About 1 minute later, I said “Lea” again, and the light came on.”

“When the stop and story were over, I walked the group across the street to stand directly in front of the LaLaurie Mansion. As I stood before my 28 guests, I felt something tug on my messenger bag. I looked at my bag, then backed up at my guests, and decided to keep that part of the tour to myself.”

The Free Mason Temple in Georgetown, now Gumbo’s Restaurant

More recently, on one of her tours in Taylor, the experience was even more startling.

“I had about 12 guests with me, and we were in an alley off Main Street. The guests were all against the wall of an abandoned building as I was telling them a story about the location behind me.”

“In the middle of the story, to my right, I saw something move about a foot off the ground. I slowly glanced over, and there was an oddly shaped shadow moving in between the ankles of one of the women on my tour. It then floated to the legs of another woman and disappeared.”

“My facial expression must have changed because a few of the folks asked if I was OK. I smiled and said, “yep! I just saw a shadow figure move between you gals,” as I pointed to the women. It took a moment for the guests to process what I said, and I hoped they didn’t think this was a deliberate act of smoke and mirrors.”

“As we approached the next location, another woman, who was standing at the opposite end of where the shadow was, approached me. She gently grabbed my arm and whispered, “I think I saw it, too.”

Spell Caster Ghost Tours are fun for everyone, regardless of your beliefs

Join the tours for a wicked good time

When asked how she hopes to see the tours will evolve in coming years. Gretchen said she would like to see an organic growth in her tours, and that could be an expansion to other cities and towns, ghost hunts, more partnerships with ghost storytelling events etc.

“I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I will always explore all the options available to me and open to new opportunities that come our way.”

If you’re ever in or around Georgetown, come and experience Spell Caster Ghost Tours for a night of history and hauntings on “The Most Beautiful Square in Texas!

Photos by Spell Caster Ghost Tours

Related posts:

April 12, 2023 at 3:01 pm

This is great sharing, Gretchen. Keep excite the tour with compelling paranormal story. As a person with lineage of women priestess here in Borneo island – we call it a gift to able to see/ feel the unseen. Word of advise, it real stuff, poor soul in fact – be respect of the spirit and don’t response. Love what you’re doing.

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Spell Caster Ghost Tours

Spell Caster’s Ghost Tours are part history and part hauntings. We offer Family Friendly and Adults Only Tours every Friday and Saturday night that are personally curated for an intimate Ghost Tour Experience.

Contact Information

Hours of operation, testimonials.

Address: Georgetown, TX Phone: (737) 738 – 3669

Email:  [email protected] Website:  https://spellcasterghosttours.com/

Tuesday – Thursday: 10 AM – 6 PM Friday – Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM

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How to hike to Castner Glacier and Castner Ice Caves in Alaska

Last Updated on March 2, 2024

Hiking to Castner Glacier and exploring the Castner ice caves makes for an epic winter Alaskan adventure in a unique environment. The shape, color and texture of the ice is fascinating to explore and makes for some truly amazing photography opportunities. Before you even get to Castner Glacier and the ice caves, you’ll be surrounded by the stunning mountains of the Eastern Alaska range, so the hike to get there is just as stunning as the glacier itself. This article will tell you how to get there, the best time to go and what to expect along the way, as well as how to find a guided tour to this stunning location.

The hike to Castner Glacier from Milepost 218 on the Richardson Highway (southeast of Fairbanks) is 2.5 miles round trip and is basically flat .

You’ll be in a remote wilderness area without cell phone service on an unmaintained trail, so you’ll need to be prepared to be self sufficient with plenty of clothing appropriate for the weather as well as food and water. The ice caves change a bit (sometimes a lot) from year to year, depending on if last year’s cave collapsed or was altered by melting over the summer season. Most years some sections collapse and the experience is different each winter. This is one of the many reasons it’s a good idea to go here with a guide.

The Castner Glacier area is the homeland of the Ahtna People and the Dene Nation .

Parking Pass : None

Dog Friendly : I do not recommend bringing a dog here do to the variable conditions of the hike as well as the hazards of the ice cave.

Cell phone coverage : None

Restrooms : None

Accessibility and Mobility : This is an unmaintained trail that is best hiked in winter, when the water of the creek is frozen. Deep snow or ice may make walking challenging. Entering the ice cave is inherently risky, with rocks and ice that can fall at any time as well as the danger of thin ice along the trail and in the cave. I recommend going with a guide to Castner Glacier.

How to get to Castner Glacier

How hard is the castner glacier hike, when is the best time to hike to castner glacier.

• Castner Glacier Ice Caves Trail Description

Entering the Castner Ice Caves

Castner glacier tours.

• What to wear and bring

Where to stop after your hike

Castner Glacier makes for an excellent day trip from Fairbanks. It’s about a 2.5 – 3 hour drive each way (145 miles), depending on road conditions. You’ll need a car or if you’re taking a tour you can arrange for a ride at an additional cost.

To get there, head southeast from Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway, past North Pole, Eielson Air Force Base and Salcha. You’ll be driving along the Tanana River with better and better mountain views as you get closer to the Eastern Alaska Range. There are several pullouts along the way for picture stops.

In the town of Delta Junction, you’ll stay to the right to stay on the Richardson Highway (left goes towards Tok and is the beginning of the Alaska-Canada Highway, also known as the Alcan).

From Delta Junction, it’s about another hour’s drive with better and better mountain views. When you pass the Lodge at Black Rapids, you are getting close! Start paying attention to the milepost signs here, you’re heading to Milepost 218.

You’ll cross several more creeks, a pump station for the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline and a DOT maintenance facility just before you arrive. Crossing over Castner Creek, you’ll park on the right a short distance after the bridge. Make sure to park well off the road (outside the white line) and avoid areas signed no parking.

After you park, you’ll carefully cross the highway to start hiking on the other side, on either the north (in summer) or south (in winter) side of Castner Creek.

The hike from the highway to the end of Castner Glacier where the ice caves are located is 1.25 miles one way and doesn’t gain any noticeable elevation. However, it’s harder than it sounds due to the lack of a maintained trail and the potential for a lot of wind.

In winter, deep snow can make it more challenging and you need to use caution to stay on the packed “trail”. In summer, rushing water and loose rocks make the way more challenging than it would be on a maintained trail of the same length.

It will take longer than you might expect due to the conditions, so make sure to get an early start and give yourself lots more time than you think you’ll need to get back before dark.

This hike is best done in winter, when the frozen land and creek make it easier to navigate and easier to approach the ice cave. Deep winter can be extremely cold in interior Alaska (well below zero). I recommend going in late winter (late February and March) when the days are longer for driving and hiking and the temperatures are not quite as bitterly cold (though it can still be VERY cold and windy here).

If you go in summer, stay well back from the water and the cave unless you are traveling with a guide.

Trail Description

The trail to Castner Glacier is an unmarked and unmaintained trail on Bureau of Land Management Land. There are no toilets, trailheads, signs or guaranteed trails. The route is different in summer and winter, so make sure to take the best path for the season you’re in.

In either case you’ll park on the right side of the highway (coming from Fairbanks) just beyond the bridge over Castner Creek at Milepost 218 on the Richardson Highway. In the winter, there’s a plowed area with room for several cars to park. Regardless of the time of year, make sure your vehicle is not in the highway! Make sure you are parked fully clear of the road (outside the white line) and that you are not in a no parking area.

Winter Trail

For the winter trail, you want to be on the south side of the creek. Walk back toward the bridge and find the packed trail just on the near (south) side of the creek. Make sure to stay on the packed trail as deep snow or potential areas of open water in the creek could be right there.

It’s just over a mile following the packed trail to the toe of Castner Glacier where the cave begins. You can’t really see it until you’re right on top of it, but just keep following the trail which is flat until you get there.

Make sure to look all around you at the amazing views of mountains in all directions!

When you arrive at the mouth of the cave at the base of Castner Glacier, you can either turn around here or you can venture into the ice cave. This is at your own risk! Keep an eye above you for any rocks that could fall and watch for thin ice and slippery areas on the ice floor of the ice cave. I do not recommend going into narrower spaces, stick to where you can comfortably stand up unless you are with a guide.

Summer Trail

In summer, you’ll need to hike along the north side of Castner Creek (the far side of the bridge from where you parked). In the summer the water can move very swiftly and you won’t be able to get across it later.

You’ll follow an old road for half a mile and then a boot path another half mile that takes you to the toe of the glacier. Follow the creek and it will get you there, but keep away from the edge and rushing water.

When you arrive at the edge of Castner Glacier and the outside of the cave, there may be a ton of water moving swiftly. Stay back from it unless you are experienced and prepared for creek crossings. The ice in the caves is much less stable in summer and there is a greater danger of rock and ice falling or cracking. For this reason, I don’t recommend entering the cave in the summer unless you’re with a guide (see below).

As I’ve mentioned a couple of times, entering an ice cave is always risky. It is much more risky in the summer, when rocks are more likely to fall and ice is shifting more. This does not mean this can’t happen in the winter, because it can, but it’s definitely less risky in the frozen winter months.

I do not recommend getting close to the glacier or going into the cave in the summer, unless you’re going with a guide (see below).

In winter, the packed down trail by other users leads you directly to the mouth of the ice cave at the toe of Castner Glacier. Use extreme caution in the cave and be aware of any rocks above that could fall as well as cracks or thin ice beneath your feet (a fast flowing creek in the summer). Bringing microspikes for walking on the ice is a good idea.

The exact size and shape of the Castner Ice caves, as well as how far you can go inside, vary quite a bit from year to year and season to season. I do not feel comfortable going into any tight spots where I can’t stand up so I stick to exploring the more open sections. I recommend that you do the same unless you have a guide to help you navigate further into the cave.

Going with a guide is always a good idea when going to an ice cave.

Make sure to look up as the hoarfrost in the cave is really beautiful to look at. It’s also fascinating to see all the layers of ice and the gravel and rocks that are lodged in the ice.

You can take a hiking tour to Castner Glacier and to the ice caves with a guide in both winter and summer . The tour does not include transportation, however for an additional fee transportation from Fairbanks can be arranged.

Even with a guide, exactly where you can go will depend on the conditions at the time of your visit. Going on a tour with a guide will help keep you safe and comfortable, especially if you are not familiar with back country travel. Different amounts of time and distances of hiking are available for visitors with different ability levels.

What to wear and bring to hike to Castner Glacier

Get your free alaska winter packing list.

Castner Glacier is in a location that can be extremely windy, especially in the winter. Make sure you can cover up all your skin for a winter hike. I also recommend bringing layers because if it’s not windy, you might get warm even in winter and want to shed a layer for a bit. In late winter the sun starts to get intense (even when it’s cold) so make sure to bring sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen.

In winter you might want to bring microspikes (like tire chains for your feet) or snowshoes if there’s recent snow.

In summer you absolutely need waterproof footwear and a good rain jacket as well as sun and bug protection.

Castner Glacier is in a remote area without cell phone service, so make sure to bring food, water and extra layers. You will need to be self sufficient and prepared for any weather.

Learn more about the specific products I recommend for year round hiking here: what to wear for a hike in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska , what to bring on a hike in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska

There are not many options for stopping along the Richardson Highway between Fairbanks and Castner Glacier. However there is a fantastic option in Big Delta Brewing Company in Delta Junction. Big Delta has wonderful food, including the best sandwiches I have ever eaten in Alaska as well as really good salads and pizza.

They also have wonderful beer! Their own Ivar’s Ale is one of my personal favorites. They also have other beers from Interior Alaska on tap.

Final Thoughts

Castner Glacier is a wonderful adventure for those who want to get up close to a glacier during winter. During summer it still makes for an enjoyable short hike, though I would not recommend approaching the ice cave or the glacier without a guide.

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The Masters Tour Summer Championship is Nearly Here!

The last Masters Tour of the year is this weekend, and Hearthstone's best have come to play! Sixteen of the top players from the June and July ladder rankings will compete for their share of the $50,000 (USD) prize pool and two invites to the 2024 World Champion across three days of streaming action! Read on for everything you need to know to enjoy the show, only on Twitch and YouTube .

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Dates : Friday, August 16 – Sunday, August 18 at 9 am PDT (6 pm CEST)

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Casters :  Dragonrider ,  Lorinda ,  Raven ,  Sottle , and  TJ

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Keep up with all of the latest Hearthstone Esports news and content on the Hearthstone website and social media . Good luck, have fun, and we’ll see you in the Tavern!

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