Jessica Taylor Jessica Taylor

Defying Gravity in Prosser: Two Days of Mystery, Wind, and WTF Moments

Have you ever watched your car roll uphill? No, you weren’t drunk. No, your car’s transmission isn’t playing a cruel joke. Welcome to Gravity Hill in Prosser, Washington—a spot where physics throws up its hands and says, “You figure it out.”

I spent two days out at Gravity Hill investigating the phenomenon, and let me tell you, it was a trip. Day 1? Drizzle. That annoying, misty, half-assed rain that doesn’t even have the decency to be a full storm but still soaks you like a passive-aggressive ex. Day 2? Windy AF. And if you know me, you know my trigeminal neuralgia reacts to wind like a cat to a vacuum. But this mission wasn’t stopping. Pain be damned, we were getting to the bottom of this freak show.

And was it worth it? Hell yes.

What Is Gravity Hill?

Imagine this: You park at the bottom of a hill, pop your car into neutral, and—against all logic—it starts rolling uphill. No, it’s not an illusion. Well… maybe it is. (More on that later.) But in the moment, it feels like you’ve stumbled into a glitch in the Matrix.

Gravity Hill in Prosser has been a local mystery for years. People have brought out levels, magnets, and even ghost-hunting equipment, trying to decode what’s happening. Some claim it’s a magnetic anomaly, others whisper about paranormal forces, and then there are the folks who say it’s just a dumb optical illusion. (Buzzkills, am I right?)

The Theories: Science, Spirits, or Straight-Up Shenanigans?

So what’s really going on at Gravity Hill? That depends on who you ask.

1. The Ghost Theory 👻

Legend has it that the spirits of children who died in a tragic bus accident haunt the hill, forever pushing cars to safety. Leave your car in neutral, and their little ghostly hands will guide you uphill. Some even sprinkle baby powder on their bumper, hoping to see tiny fingerprints. Spooky, right? Creepy as hell? Absolutely.

2. The Magnetic Field Theory 🧲

Some believe there’s a magnetic force strong enough to counteract gravity, yanking cars uphill like a cosmic fishing line. Sounds cool, but unless my car is secretly made of vibranium, I’m calling B.S.

3. The Optical Illusion Theory 🏔️

And then we have the skeptics, the fun police, the ones who ruin the magic. They claim the entire effect is a well-placed optical illusion—what looks like an incline is actually a slight decline, tricking your brain into thinking the impossible is happening. While this is the most “realistic” explanation, where’s the fun in that?

Day 1: Drizzle and Spooked

The drizzle made everything eerie. Low visibility, wet pavement, and that unsettling feeling that something was watching. The kind of vibe where you expect to turn around and see a Victorian child in the fog whispering, “Don’t go.” I tested the hill multiple times—neutral, foot off the brake, rolling backward up the incline. Every time. I even brought out a level to check the angle. My results? Confusing.

Day 2: Wind Slaps and WTF Moments

The wind was relentless. If you've ever been in Washington’s high desert, you know that when it gets windy, it gets windy. My trigeminal neuralgia was screaming, but I was determined to get more footage and see if the phenomenon held up. And guess what? It did. Over and over, my car defied logic and rolled the “wrong” way. I swore at the wind. The wind swore back. I questioned reality. Reality shrugged.

The Verdict? You Gotta See It Yourself

Look, whether you believe in ghosts, magnets, or just a well-placed brain trick, there’s no denying that Gravity Hill is worth the trip. It’s weird, it’s fun, and it messes with your head in the best way. Plus, how often do you get to defy gravity without NASA-level funding?

But don’t just take my word for it—watch the full video of my Gravity Hill adventure over on The 509 Unfiltered: https://www.youtube.com/@The509Unfiltered

Let me know what you think. Is it ghosts? A magnetic vortex? Or just another case of science being a buzzkill? Either way, Gravity Hill is one of Washington’s strangest roadside attractions—and absolutely worth the detour.

Have you been to Gravity Hill? Drop your experience in the comments below!


Got a weird, wacky, or downright unbelievable story? Know a hometown hero or an amazing small business that deserves the spotlight? I want to hear about it! Hit that contact button and send me your best 509 Unfiltered show ideas! 🎙️🔥

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