[pct-l] Mountain lion sightings on the PCT

[Mary Davison]

In 2006 I section hiked the PCT from Stevens Pass to Manning, Canada. I no
longer remember exactly where, but I was ahead of my hiking partner on the
trail a few blocks worth of distance winding through a bunch of willows and
brush when I looked up and there was mr cat about 50 ft in front of me
standing on the trail looking at me. I looked at him. He looked at me and he
turned around and trotted up the trail. I turned around and went back down
the trail to my partner telling her to get her dog on the leash as I was
terrified he would think the cougar would be as much fun to chase as a
chipmunk, with tragic consequences. She did and we proceeded cautiously up
the trail but never saw the cougar again. Actually its coat was rather more
brown than gold and I wondered if it was really a cougar until my neighbor
who is a hunter told me that in the late summer/fall their coats darken up.
And when I visited Coronado National Monument once I was doubly convinced it
was a cougar as they had a picture of one on the wall with the same color
coat and in exactly the same stance as the one I saw in Washington. He did
not bother us. He turned and went away up the trail just as the only bear I
ever saw on the trail (above Tulley's Hole) did. In all the years I have
hiked in bear /cat country I have seen only those two although I am certain
many have been around me. I am just as happy not to see them.

 

Medicare Pastor