Please don't mistake me for a deer!
Gulp! This gruesome sight met us one afternoon this week when my brother and I were out for a hike. If you look in the distance, you'll see just how close we were to the Silicon Valley. In the background you're looking at Moffett Field, home of NASA-Ames Research Facility, and downtown San Jose. A few short miles from there, along Monte Bello Ridge, we came across what appears to be a fairly fresh mountain lion kill.
So--I'll confine my trail running to parks with lots of folks around, or to these trails only with a buddy or two. Sure don't want to be mistaken for a deer!
--- Come for a visit; Stay for a lifetime!
Lottie Kendall, Realtor®
Compass
CA DRE#10215160; 650-465-4547
Lottie@LottieKendall.com
Hi Lotte!
This post sure pulled me in! My sister runs up at "The Dish" and they saw a mountian lion up there a couple of months ago. Gave everyone a big scare! Can you just imagine what that must have looked like-- a lion gnawing away on a big buck like that with Moffett Field in the back ground?
Lottie: Indeed!... There are several places around here in the hills of the Pacific Northwest where we need to keep an eye out for Cougar. Especially along the Interstate 90 between Bellevue and Issaquah... We even have a Mountain named after them between Issaquah, Maple Valley, and Renton... Cougar Mountain... Great Photo.
Hi Rene -- mountain lions have become much more numerous here in the Silicon Valley and San Mateo County than they were 20 years ago. A park ranger wouldn't believe me when I reported my first sighting of one.
David, re-routing, re-timing, and re-grouping -- all wise. All that risk-management that we're always studying in real estate works here, too. It's a pretty area where your parents live--wonder if the lion was heading down to/up from Stulstaft Park??
Yikes!! I have heard tales of the rare black panther up here in the North Georgia mountains...I might have even heard one at about 3 in the morning this past spring...a very otherworldly, quite frightening yet haunting 'scream.' I certainly don't want to find out if those big cats really do live up here while I'm out on a hike!!
I'm with you, Kim! I rarely venture into the wilds alone these days, and certainly not at dusk or dawn.
Life's all about risk management, right?
OOOH, that would be a little uncomfortable to stumble upon! Even the big parks might not be completely safe if you're alone.
Hi Georgina - uncomfortable, indeed. (And I spared you some of the gruesome details!) The only time I'll hit the trails solo is broad daylight, and in parks frequented by lots of runners and hikers. Luckily, we have several close in wildland areas that are suitable.
Well, lions hafta eat too. Just found a couple of kills near here. Cool when you think about it.
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