Mountain Lion at Whiting

[el cap]

Wow! It was so close to the entrance on a Saturday.

I guess it was waiting for an opportunity to nab an animal, pet or someone 8-[

Thanks for posting!

 

[CarbonLegs]

I will run it over on my Bike......... = )

 

[mmmike038]

The lion smelled all those small off leash dogs that I ran into with their hiking family the last two weeks.

 

[genusmtbkr5]

Thanks for the update! Is there a simpler way to get current trail info like this (Mt lion spotted, or even trail conditions) than just going through all the threads. It'd be cool to have a quick way to see trail info like this. Stay safe!

Yes, check the "sticky" at the top of each Forum. There is one for "Trail Conditions" here: Trail Condition "Sticky"

If there is some current info posted, it will be at the top on the forum page and the 1st thread after the Stickys listed.

I added this thread to the General Section "Sticky"

 

[dirtmistress]

If I saw a mountain lion, I wouldn't call the police. Only a fool goes into the parks in OC unaware of the wildlife around them.

 

[Waldo]

If I saw a mountain lion, I wouldn't call the police. Only a fool goes into the parks in OC unaware of the wildlife around them.

Really? An incredibly popular park, visited by lots of families who are getting their first exposure to a little wilderness, and you don't even think it's worth phoning it in so warnings of a recent sighting can be posted? As an experienced trail user I get where you're coming from - it's their home and we're just visiting - but for the sake of basic concern for other people who aren't so well informed, it's worth making a call that could save a life.

 

[stmpjmpr]

HOLY COW>>>whats time was this? i almost went riding there sat morning, decided to sleep in. best choice I could have made.

 

[sir crashalot]

riding there on a day that there was a sighting isnt really more risky than going there when there wasnt a sighting. the lions are always around, theyre just not always seen. FWIW there have only been three attack incidents in the santa ana mountains/foothills area, although tragically resulting in one death in whiting. and one could consider the 2 attacks in whiting on the same day by the same cougar a single incident. Also some experts think the lion was scavenging the body after he died of a heart attack, and then attacked the otehr person when protecting his find. Compared to the enormous number of people recreating in the area, attacks are extremely rare it seems like our local mountain lions generally want nothing to do with us. Most attacks have been in northern california and teh pacific northwest (especially vancouver island). Of course if you happen to be the one guy this decade who gets attacked, knowing those odds wont help you! They may be getting hungrier and bolder than usual due to the drought. use cautuion and travel with others if possible, but dont let it keep you from enjoying the outdoors. If you see one in the park, inform the rangers they always want to keep track of the lions but no reason to call the police.

 

[mtnbikej]

Really? An incredibly popular park, visited by lots of families who are getting their first exposure to a little wilderness, and you don't even think it's worth phoning it in so warnings of a recent sighting can be posted? As an experienced trail user I get where you're coming from - it's their home and we're just visiting - but for the sake of basic concern for other people who aren't so well informed, it's worth making a call that could save a life.

A call to the ranger yes.....a call to the PD.....no.

 

[dstepper]

If I was out there with a toddler I would want a warning no matter who was called. I see kids running out front of their parents all the time.

 

[CarbonLegs]

If I saw a mountain lion, I wouldn't call the police. Only a fool goes into the parks in OC unaware of the wildlife around them.

A call to the ranger yes.....a call to the PD.....no.

I agree, call OC parks/Rangers- but

To a Father who is going for a stroll with his daughter and siblings and is not exposed to wild life/nature like we as MTB are (or other wilderness explorers)- Calling the local authorities was or is the best he can do. Frantic and collecting his family, he is not looking for a phone number posted at the beginning of the trail head !! Nothing wrong with making that phone call, there for the authorities can asses and or most likely call a Ranger in.

Most likely, the Cops were sitting on their a$$ across the street @ Sport Chalet doing nothing. So Kudos for him-

=)

 

[trailninja]

I called the Ranger today for some more info. The park is open with signs posted throughout. The ranger indicated that they performed an investigation and deemed it safe with no lion in the area. Time to go ride!

 

[mike001]

"The ranger indicated that they performed an investigation and deemed it safe with no lion in the area."

I'm comforted to know that the rangers know exactly where the lions aren't. LOL


"riding there on a day that there was a sighting isnt really more risky than going there when there wasnt a sighting. the lions are always around, theyre just not always seen."

+1

 

[RustyIron]

Way cool! I rode through there yesterday, and the only big wildlife we spotted was a couple good-sided mule deer. I'm glad Mr. Kitty had the sense to skedaddle before the law showed up.

 

[sir crashalot]

Or Mr kitty was watching from a hiding spot. they are absolute masters at hiding.

 

[CarbonLegs]

Posted sign as of this morning, warnings are up. Did not know it was Friday Sighting tho-

I will be surprise if no sighting today, tons of civilian traffic along with two ranger vehicles all through out the park. I also did hear a dirt bike near by doing laps.

 

[mike001]

Surprised? That a cat might do what they've done for millions of years? (Evade detection and go elsewhere in their considerably-large territory.) That cat is long gone. It's probably the same one that dropped a huge dump on the trail near Old Camp a day or so ago.

I do love the movie posters for the new mountain lion flik, though. It'll rival Willard!

 

[CarbonLegs]

My kids play in the exact place the animal was spotted, good info for most of us.

Thanks for sharing such cliche internet post, All tho- You are acting like the same huge dump on the trail near Old Camp a day or so ago..

 

[nmeofun]

This was the ranger activity today, 2-9-14:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAt-M_M7zXA

Driving up and down the heavily traveled roads... "No lions here! Carry on!". The lion will be out this evening, or morning, but probably not when F-250's and Explorers are running Mustard. Didn't see any Ranger's hiking in the area where the cat was seen.

 

[mike001]

My kids play in the exact place the animal was spotted..

Why would let your kids play where carnivorous predators are confirmed to roam unabated? You didn't read about the kid down in Casper's? You don't believe they live all around us? I'm dumbfounded...