[timberghost]

[Schroder]

There are always exceptions. The mountain biker killed near North Bend was 1 of the 2 people killed in North America since 2010.

[Sky Hiker]

But 8 since 1990. I would hate to tell the family of the exceptions that it's a rare circumstance. So a person must be prepared however you as an individual plan that or not is your decision. However a fair portion that have died in the past have been children. So don't act like a kid

[Malachai Constant]

Mountain bikers and trail runners if alone can seem like deer.

[MtnManic]

Ha - one cat looked intrigued before walking away, the second stared for a bit then stole the last my ice cream.

[Sculpin]

"But 8 since 1990." From the Everett Herald: "Fifty-one people have died on U.S. 2 between Snohomish and Stevens Pass since 1999, state accident data shows." Much safer for a resident of Skykomish to head out the back door rather than the front.

[timberghost]

Problem is with the "back door" is old cascade highway heading west is washed out at Miller river and getting onto two at Money creek is a real problem. Then if you tried to get on highway 2 from the east end of the old cascade highway it is blocked 70% of the time with the train at the RR crossing.

[CascadeRambler]

I’ve watched yearlings do this in the spring, it’s almost like mama just booted them out and they were lonely and confused. Also seen full grown females do this in the Middle Fork, one just a few hundred feet west of the old Mailbox Peak trail head kiosk down along the creek. Another recent sighting of this type of vocalization was across Gifford Lake from my lunch spot. Actually very amazing to hear. Sort of like waking up to a pack of wolves howling across the valley, or the sound of a loon call in the early morning. You just have to smile and enjoy, you are a witness to the real wilderness.

[Alpendave]

[Backpacker Joe]

Around 1994 I was hiking into the Hidden lake and Hidden lookout area. I cut the trail half way there and climbed the ridge. That night I slept on a rock over looking the valley I had climbed out of. In the middle of the night I woke up (in my bivi sack(kind of like a human burrito)) with he hair on my neck standing up hard! I remember being shocked awake and then drifting right back to sleep. In the morning I noticed a stream and small pool next tot he rock I was sleeping on. I ALSO noticed large paw prints in the soft dirt/mud next to the pool of water. Then it hit me, a large CAT bent down to drink water 10" away from my head, as I was sleeping that night. I can only figure I woke up when the cat was drinking. When it all hit me, I swung around and looked down the valley. It was a long talus ridge. My eyes caught movement and I zeroed in on a large Cougar sitting on a rock and his tail swinging back and forth a hundred or so yards below me. I could have been that human burrito if that cat had wanted. It was a sobering experience.

[Brushbuffalo]

[Redwic]

I have come within 5'-7' of a cougar on two different occasions during solo outings; one in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the other in the Blue Mountains (southeast Washington). In both situations, the cougar ran away. The best chances of success is by making eye contact, trying to look big, and making lots of noise; most cougars usually spook easily because they want to attack prey from behind.