For a multi-use trail network, there’s nothing scarier than a DEAD END! So this Halloween, I’m helping The Circuit Trails highlight three dead end trails in Philly, where more work is needed to complete the Circuit. Visit these ghostly gaps, solve my petrifying puzzles, and take a frightening photo for our contest!
Here’s how it works: on October 29th, 30th, and 31st, I’m posting videos on Instagram and TikTok that show the locations of three dead end trails in Philadelphia. I’ve placed a lockbox containing prize cards at each dead end, and the puzzles in the videos give you the codes to open them. There’s a different card to win each day, but only 20 cards in each lockbox, so if you want the complete set, you’ll have to be quick!
Regardless of whether you nab a card, you can also enter our photo contest! Take a photo at the dead end and post it with #trickortrailphoto to enter. You can get up to three entries by visiting all three dead ends! Snap anything you like—I’ll be evaluating submissions based on composition, creativity, and overall quality. Top three best photos win $100, $50, and $25 REI gift cards, respectively. Details below.
Where: Puzzle videos will be posted on TikTok and Instagram. Lockboxes will be placed at the dead ends featured in the videos.
When: • 6pm on 10/29/26: [dead end TBA] • 6pm on 10/30/26: [dead end TBA] • 10am on 10/31/26: [dead end TBA] • photo contest available 10/29 through 11/1
Difficulty: ◉◎◎◎◎
Price: Free!
Trick-or-Trail! Rules: • ONE prize card per person (trick-or-treating protocol!) • Do not trespass or violate any laws. • By participating, you assume all associated risks and agree not to hold Eric The Puzzler or The Circuit Trails Coalition responsible for any liability that results from your participation. • Follow good trail etiquette.
Photo Contest Rules: • You must have a public Instagram or TikTok account and be following @thecircuittrails and @ericthepuzzler on your respective platform to be eligible. • The photo(s) you enter in the contest must be taken at one of the three featured dead ends and must be posted by 8pm on 11/1/26 using #trickortrailphoto. • Up to three entries per person are allowed (one for each featured dead end). Each entry must be a separate post. If you submit a post containing multiple photos (a “carousel”), only the first photo in the carousel will be evaluated for the contest. If you visit a dead end with a group, each visitor may submit their own unique photo to the contest using their own social media account. • You may use basic photo editing techniques, such as those found in the Instagram and TikTok photo editors. You may not use generative AI in any way. • Follow good trail etiquette.
How to participate: When a Trick-or-Trail! video drops, visit the dead end trail it features and open the prize card lockbox there by solving the puzzle in the video. Then take a photo at the dead end and post it with #trickortrailphoto to enter the contest! (Details above.)
Prizes: Each lockbox contains 20 prize cards, which can be claimed by the fastest Puzzlers to unlock them. There’s a different prize card for each day—will you be able to complete the full set? $100, $50, and $25 REI gift cards will be awarded to the first, second, and third place photo contest winners, respectively, on 11/2/26.
Accessibility: All featured multi-use trails are fully accessible.
