There are studies (US Davis July 2015) that show as many as 21 collared lions in the Santiago/Cleveland Forest/Santa Ana Mountains area and all along Main Divide. Obviously this number changes constantly. Based on these studies most lion concentrations seem to be South of 91, West of 15 between OC and the IE. Many Lions routinely die trying to cross the roads (often the Toll Roads) and get struck by a vehicle. Rangers have also warned to be careful riding alone in those remote areas.
I rode Main Divide yesterday and there is large Scat everywhere, including down Eagle. I have only seen one Lion on the Bike, and it was in Chino Hills Park which has some big cats but not many. I will say I can guarantee you that if you ride those areas often at all, the big cats (not just Bobcats) have seen you! If you have the time and really want to educate yourself, read this. It is a long read so no need to click unless you hunger to know more.
Work cited: T. Winston Vickers , Jessica N. Sanchez, Christine K. Johnson, Scott A. Morrison, Randy Botta, Trish Smith, Brian S. Cohen, Patrick R. Huber, Holly B. Ernest, Walter M. Boyce
Published: July 15, 2015http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0131490
That reads like a bit of a hero story. I mean, he fought it off not once, but twice! The Mountain Lion chased him but yet did not catch him, even when he crashed ... and he still had time to get up and fight it off a second time!
kinda hard to believe the cat went after him the second time and someone was actually riding up the Luge. What time was it?
Anyways here's another great tip from the guy who told you to buy non quick release locks, an internal bike GPS, alarm padlocks and flattening your tires at bikeracks.... AIR HORNS!!!
Great for security, they scare both feline and human cougars. Nobody likes to hear them go off. Even with shaky sh*t in the pants scenarios, they work better than grabbing rocks. Because what if there arent any rocks.... Also great for pranking your co riders, but save the blasts for mountain lions. Think of the lives saved or physical harm averted if everyone had an airhorn inside their Camelbak....it helps ward off rapists too. Mountain Lions: What you should and shouldn't do.(merged) | SoCal Trail Riders - Southern California Mountain Bike Community
I have heard from multiple sources that the rider in question had already passed the flag on the STT, (The flag being the start of the Luge DH) and was headed for Old Camp when he had the encounter.
My little air horn just arrived from Amazon! I have yet to even see a mountain lion, let alone have an encounter. Nor have I encountered any rattlers yet. And that's with riding 3-4 times a week in so cal for the last two years. So I'm feeling like I'm overdue for an encounter.
Anyways, I won't be bringing the air horn with me on my daily rides in the Verdugos, but it'll be in my hydration pack for my more remote rides. Kinda wish there was a "safety" on it though, as I've already accidentally discharged it a couple times!
My little air horn just arrived from Amazon! I have yet to even see a mountain lion, let alone have an encounter. Nor have I encountered any rattlers yet. And that's with riding 3-4 times a week in so cal for the last two years. So I'm feeling like I'm overdue for an encounter.
Anyways, I won't be bringing the air horn with me on my daily rides in the Verdugos, but it'll be in my hydration pack for my more remote rides. Kinda wish there was a "safety" on it though, as I've already accidentally discharged it a couple times!
Good luck with that. I've been a rider for 16 years and an avid outdoorsman for twice that. I've never been lucky enough to see one. Only a dead deer carcass half buried and paw prints. I did however hike up Stonewall trail, east of San Diego in 1994 a day before that teacher was chased down and killed by a lion. My girl and I hiked it many times prior without anything wrong. That particular day we both kept commenting that we felt something was watching us.
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