Saw a mountain lion today on the AT

[vamelungeon]

I was hiking north to the Mt. Rogers NRA HQ today and at about 1pm I saw a mountain lion cross the trail about 75 yards ahead of me. It ran across the trail then jumped up on a fallen tree and paused, then jumped down into the woods. My view of it was clear and unobstructed. There was no doubt about what it was, from the super long tail, the tawny color, the huge but low slung body. I've seen one in a zoo and of course on film but never in person before. I've been a lifelong hunter in southwest Virginia and I've seen a lot of wildlife but this cougar was a new experience. It wasn't a bobcat or Aunt Tilly's housecat. I only wish I'd had a camera in my hand.

[bobqzzi]

That is awesome.

[TNjed]

you weren't out picking mushrooms were you?

[wornoutboots]

That's really cool!

[Shutterbug]

... I only wish I'd had a camera in my hand.

That is why I almost always have a camera in my hand. I would love to see another mountain lion in a situation where I could get a good picture. I envy you for the experience.

[DLANOIE]

AWE,you lucky dog(or cat!) Too bad you didn't snap a pic...such is life ehh?!

[HiKen2011]

Lucky you! I think they are spreading ever so slowly on the eastern US.

[WingedMonkey]

Was he chasing Bigfoot or was Bigfoot chasing him?

[Jim Adams]

very nice!

geek

[stumpknocker]

Lucky you!!

I know of three others who have seen mountain lions on the AT. One in VT, one in VA, one in PA.

That is the one critter I've not seen in the wild yet.

[Kerosene]

Lucky you!!

I know of three others who have seen mountain lions on the AT. One in VT, one in VA, one in PA.

That is the one critter I've not seen in the wild yet.

You know of 4, Stumpy! I saw one on the AT about 40 yards ahead of me on a crisp, clear October day in 2001 about 4 miles south of Harpers Ferry.

[stumpknocker]

You know of 4, Stumpy! I saw one on the AT about 40 yards ahead of me on a crisp, clear October day in 2001 about 4 miles south of Harpers Ferry.

Dang....you too?? Good for you!! The other three I know of that has seen one on the AT was Rambunny, Trek and Doc & Wounded Knee. I heard the one Doc & Wounded Knee saw, but I never saw it.

I really have been watching for one out west on the CDT, but haven't been lucky enough to actually lay eyes on one yet. Mrs Gorp saw one from the truck this year, but I was driving and couldn't turn fast enough to see it. That doesn't count as seeing one on a trail anyways.

My best sighting out west has been a wolverine.

[Marta]

Very nice! What time of day or night was it? The only person I've talked to who said he has seen a mountain lion in the the eastern US saw it before dawn.

BTW, there was an article in the Charlotte Observer recently about a couple of mountain lions being killed on the interstate in CT recently.

[bronconite]

Very nice! What time of day or night was it? The only person I've talked to who said he has seen a mountain lion in the the eastern US saw it before dawn.

BTW, there was an article in the Charlotte Observer recently about a couple of mountain lions being killed on the interstate in CT recently.

I'm fairly sure there was only one mountain lion killed on the highway there recently, which is the one that USFW believes came from South Dakota. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...ylink=misearch

[Pedaling Fool]

What time of day or night was it?

I was hiking north to the Mt. Rogers NRA HQ today and at about 1pm I saw a mountain lion...

BTW, if you did have a camera do you think you would've had enough time to snap a pic? Most people carry the camera in their pack; I normally carry it in a case attached to my shoulder harness, but there have been some things I wanted to get a pic of, but just couldn't get the camera out quick enough, at least quick enough for a clear unobstructed pic.

[Mountain Maiden]

That is so COOL! WOW! My closest encounter was with a black panther--of course, no camera! A lot of excitement, though! On my thru hike in '02, I remember two hikers saw a mountain lion up close and personal as it chased a deer directly across the path in front of them on the Trail near Bear Mtn (NY).

LUCKY YOU!

[bronconite]

That is so COOL! WOW! My closest encounter was with a black panther--of course, no camera! A lot of excitement, though! On my thru hike in '02, I remember two hikers saw a mountain lion up close and personal as it chased a deer directly across the path in front of them on the Trail near Bear Mtn (NY).

LUCKY YOU!

There is no scientific evidence of the existence of mountain lions that are black. The cats we know as "black panthers" in North/Central/South America are melanistic jaguars.

[Mountain Maiden]

There is no scientific evidence of the existence of mountain lions that are black. The cats we know as "black panthers" in North/Central/South America are melanistic jaguars.

Well, how about that? Ya' learn something new everyday...Any scientific evidence of how they got here (southeastern U.S.?) Call it what you want, either way--he/she was a BIG Black kitty!! A memorable experience for me!

[doritotex]

Why on earth would most people carry their camera in their pack? Really, do "most people" have their camera in their pack? I carry mine in my shorts pocket! And that's not quick enough when I see wildlife! I was reading about mountain lions just the other day, and the article said that they are out there more than people know because they are nocturnal and rarely seen in the day. You got really lucky!

[bronconite]

I was hiking north to the Mt. Rogers NRA HQ today and at about 1pm I saw a mountain lion cross the trail about 75 yards ahead of me. It ran across the trail then jumped up on a fallen tree and paused, then jumped down into the woods. My view of it was clear and unobstructed. There was no doubt about what it was, from the super long tail, the tawny color, the huge but low slung body. I've seen one in a zoo and of course on film but never in person before. I've been a lifelong hunter in southwest Virginia and I've seen a lot of wildlife but this cougar was a new experience. It wasn't a bobcat or Aunt Tilly's housecat. I only wish I'd had a camera in my hand.

I'd encourage you to read through the following link. There are those who would love for this to be true, and if you could collect some evidence, they'd lile to here from you. http://www.easterncougar.org/pages/beyondsightings.htm