About once a year when I was growing up, someone would get mauled by a mountain lion in southern California.
The last one that I recall before I moved was on a nature trail east and inland of Laguna hills (on the west side foot hills of the Cleveland National Forest). This was once a pristine rolling prairie area with high brush and deep ravines carved through the landscape here and there. Perfect ambush territory for a puma.
The whole area has in the last fifteen years been raped by developers (for whom I worked, to my shame) and is quite populated now.
So it came as a surprise when this attack occurred. A thirty something lady, unarmed, out jogging. They did not find too much left of her. The cat that they killed (believed to be the attacker) was a big 180-200 pounder.
All the rich yuppies down there really underestimate the Cleveland and the Angeles Crest. Although they are both now surrounded by city and urban developement, attacks from cats, coyotes (the most common attacks), and black bears do still occur from time to time.
As for me, my closest hiking companions have always been (in spite of California laws) my shorty 44 Blackhawk, my large CS Gunsite knife, and my eyes and ears.
Most of you here might not think it but the Angeles Crest Forest that borders the north east of LA county claims a pretty good body count. It really was a gods country before the days of "progress".
