All I know is that they are more likely to attack if you are alone. If you are with a partner they may feel outnumbered and will most likely leave you alone. I would bring some pepper spray if your really worried

I saw one a couple of years ago while hiking alone, in a clearing a couple hundred feet ahead of me. I had just come around a corner, and I'm pretty sure he saw me but didn't seem to care. I just backed up slowly so I could watch him from between the trees, until he eventually wandered off. I'm not sure what would have happened if I had been closer or had startled him.

It hasn't stopped me from going back, but I always try to be aware of any movement or sounds (especially footsteps) around me.

The usual thing they say is to look as big as you can (if you have a jacket, open it and make it look as wide as possible; if you have a child, put the child on your shoulders to look bigger). And if attacked, fight back -- you can freak the thing out if you put up enough of a fight.

I don't say this from experience doing it, but rather from experience reading the warnings posted... YMMV...

This may help...

How to reduce the chances of an encounter with a Mountain Lion:

* Avoid hiking alone, especially between dusk and dawn, when lions normally do their hunting. Make plenty of noise while you hike so as to reduce the chances of surprising a lion.
* Always keep children in sight while hiking and within arm's reach in areas that can conceal a lion. Mountain Lions seem to be drawn to children.
* Hike with a good walking stick; this can be useful in warding off a lion.


How to reduce the chances of an attack when encountering a Mountain Lion:

* Do not approach a lion, especially if it is feeding or with its young. Most lions will avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
* Stay calm and face the lion. Do not run because this may trigger the lion's instinct to attack. Try to appear larger by raising your hands.
* Pick up small children so they don't panic and run. This will also make you appear larger. Avoid bending over or crouching.
* If the lion acts aggressively, throw rocks, branches, or whatever can be obtained without turning your back or bending over.
* Fight back if attacked. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal. People have successfully fought back with rocks, sticks, or bare hands.

I saw one in Tennessee Valley in Marin about 5 years ago, on the main trail to the beach.

It was about the height of a German Shepherd, but much skinnier. It was sort of loping as it cut across the trail in front of me, in a moving-away direction (which I was very happy about). It was incredibly graceful, yet it moved like it was made of pure wire; its feet seemed to not touch the ground. It was there and gone in about 5 seconds. So was I, in what I hoped was the opposite direction.

The Marin IJ reported that a couple of llamas were killed by a lion a few years ago out in Bolinas.

Definitely crosses my mind on the more remote hikes.

there is good advice here, and I'd like to stress that this is a very rare occurrance to worry about.

personally I feel blessed for having had a mountain lion *bonding* when I was about 13 years old. we had a staring contest for a good 3 minutes actually, at 15 feet from each other. My dog (large, but still smaller and stupider - alas domesticated - than the tempting "kitty" on the fence) and my younger brother got all freaked out and neurotic and loud...the huge, muscular (even its tail), and wiry cat and I just watched each other. It was truly amazing. I was not afraid, more curious and awestruck by its sheer size and beauty.

Today if I encountered one hiking or whatever (IF!), I would still assume it was the dominant predator, at home in its wild environment where I was a mere visitor or snack item. BUT I strongly believe that the vibe of FEAR that people carry is tangible to animals (and to some people) and most especially to predators and those intending to instill fear as a tool to discombobulate prey. It is good to carry a self-confident and "alpha" vibe when in the wilderness (natural or urban!) along with that stick. As *they* say >be careful what you wish for 'cause it might come true< and don't manifest your fears!

Oh and fyi :
Animals respond to baring of the teeth, so don't freaking smile at the cat (or dog) unless you are planning to BE the aggressor and advance in a loud and threatening manner. I use this to technique to break up dog fights (only when absolutely necessary, but I was a dog handler) or to scare off large raccoons in my 'hood. It has never NOT worked for me as a disorienting and aggressive scare tactic. But you have to give off that alpha energy without hesitation or slacking off inorder to succeed.

www.cougarinfo.org/

a much more cautious (they'd say "realistic") approach to mountain lion issues. Mountain lion populations have been increasing in CA, the human population has been increasing in CA, and in some places lions are getting used to us, which isn't really a good thing.

I just went camping alone in an area well-known for it's mountain lion population (Big Sur mountains), but for some reason the population there doesn't seem to go after people like the cats in SoCal and some other places do. I was told that they've never had a problem in the Monterey backwoods, and people go in there all the time. I wonder why it's so different in other places - maybe they're getting used to us and aren't so afraid anymore around the hills of Southern California, and even a little in the South Bay! It's still very very rare, but we've had cougars showing up in people's backyards and around schools in the South Bay, more than before.

users.frii.com/mytymyk/lions/pumadfn.htm
good table to identify lion behavior and what to do in response

www.cougarinfo.org/onguard.htm
do's and don'ts

basically, if you're threatened, look big, grab your kids and ACT AGGRESSIVELY, growl, look it in the eye, show your teeth, don't take any shit from it, be in charge, dominate, act like you will kick it's ass!! It's all about attitude, and luck.

Of course, if I were ever in that situation I'd probably shit my pants . . .

Statistically, you're much more likely to be killed on the drive to the trail than by a mountain lion in the backcountry. I've solo hiked in the Big Sur for years w/o issue. As long as you're not trail running you odds of startling a cat are minimal.

For some perspective, Jack English (some 85 years old and counting) still lives by himself in Pine Valley and hasn't been carried off by the cougars yet.
montereycountyweekly.com/issue..._story

With that said, here's a simply incredible recent photo by Ivan Eberle from the Church Creen Drainage in the Ventana Wilderness:
www.ivaneberle.com/P.concolor9.html

Its sobering to remember that the cats are definately still out there...

I was hiking daily in Anadell, a park in Santa Rosa......I noticed lions on several occasions. I also noticed one about two feet away from my feet once, and even though I was aware that you should not run and you should stay calm, I ran and yelled for my dog to do the same. It can be hard to execute the proper movements when in the situation. I do hike a lot alone, I also hike with my dog and I heard he can be an easy target for mountain lions, even attracting them to me. I feel much safer when he is with me, however.......I try to feel privileged for being able to witness these beautiful creatures amongst there homes, but on a different note, I am constantly thinking of the prey-predator relationship on my hikes