Colorado Mountain Lion Safety Tips

I've only seen a mountain lion, once, and that was several years ago, when I first started hiking, and didn't know what to do when you encounter one. I was hiking with a friend, in Boulder, on a popular trail. It was almost the end of the hike, and my friend was in much better cardiovascular shape than me, and I was tired, so I told her to go on ahead. We were passing through a very wooded area, with large rock outcroppings, and I had the feeling to keep my eyes on my surroundings. When passing one large rock outcropping, I looked to my right, under the rocks, and all I saw was the white part around the mountain lion's mouth, contrasted against the darkness. I was freaked out. I did what you're not supposed to do, and picked up my pace, and turned my back on it. Luckily, the mountain lion was clearly not wanting to be seen, and probably didn't want bothered, or to bother anyone, but that was a pretty freaky experience.

Since then, I've heard them "chirping" too many times to count, when I've been hiking. I had no idea this was even a sound they made, until a year or so into hiking. Here are some links, below, so you can stay aware when you're hiking.

Mountain Lion Sounds YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5TztkJsbIQ&t=10s

Mountain Lion Sounds YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=351qXG1tSNE

The basics:

Mountain lions are Colorado’s largest wild cat and can weigh up to 200 lbs.
They are normally calm, quiet, and elusive.
Mountain lions are solitary animals, traveling alone except during mating season or when a female is supporting young.
They are most active at dawn and dusk, corresponding with deer activity.
Mountain lions are carnivores and prey mostly on deer. They will eat almost anything they can catch though.
Mountain lions like to live in remote locations that have adequate cover (rocks, trees, bushes) and where there are plenty of deer.
Mountain lions can leap up to 40 feet, jump up to 15 feet high, and run as fast as 40 mph.

Tips for staying safe:

Hike in groups whenever possible
Make plenty of noise to avoid surprising a lion
Keep children close to you. Do not let them wander ahead of you or fall behind.
Keep pets leashed.
Never approach a mountain lion.

What to do in an encounter:

Never approach a mountain lion.
Talk calmly and firmly to it.
Make slow movements - back away slowly.
DO NOT RUN - this will trigger a prey response.
Do everything you can to make yourself appear larger. Raise your hands above your head and open your jacket.
Pick up small children if they’re with you, so they don’t panic, and run.
Throw rocks, branches, or anything else at the lion if it’s behaving aggressively.
Do not crouch down or turn your back on it.
Use bear spray if necessary.
Fight back if the lion attacks you.
Try to remain standing or try to get back up as quickly as possible.
Call Colorado Parks and Wildlife and seek medical attention if necessary.