Estes Park, Colorado — A woman was discovered dead on a hiking trail in Larimer County on New Year’s Day, with a mountain lion found nearby her body. Investigators are actively examining the circumstances surrounding her death and are trying to ascertain if the animal was involved. Additionally, authorities are searching for a possible third mountain lion sighted in the vicinity of the incident.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife and law enforcement officials have already encountered and euthanized two mountain lions during their search. Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for the agency, emphasized the potential danger posed by mountain lions, noting that these territorial creatures may have been involved. Scientists will perform necropsies on the lions to determine if they played a role in the woman’s death, and to assess for any underlying health issues that may have impacted their behavior.
The tragic event occurred around noon on Thursday, January 1, when a group of hikers on the Crosier Mountain trail discovered a mountain lion alongside the woman. Despite their efforts to scare the animal away by throwing rocks, they found the woman unresponsive.
Details about the deceased have not been released, but officials believe she was hiking solo. An autopsy has been scheduled by the Larimer County Coroner’s Office, and results will be shared once her family has been informed.
Historically, Colorado has seen 28 mountain lion attacks over the past 35 years, with the last fatalities occurring in the late 1990s. The incidents included a 10-year-old boy who was mauled while hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, and a young child who went missing during a group hike, later confirmed to have died as a result of a mountain lion attack.
In response to the recent incident, the U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed several trails and trailheads in the region, including the Garden Gate and Gravel Pit/Rainbow trailheads. There is no set date for when these areas will reopen, reflecting concerns for the safety of hikers.
A local resident had reported a previous aggressive mountain lion encounter on the same trail in November. Gary Messina described a harrowing experience during an early morning run when a mountain lion attempted to attack him. He managed to fend it off and alerted authorities, leading to temporary warning signs about mountain lion activity in the area. However, those signs had been removed prior to Thursday’s incident.
Mountain lions are known to venture closer to populated areas during winter as they follow prey, such as elk and deer, to lower elevations. Van Hoose noted that their visibility increases during this time, leading to a rise in reported sightings and encounters.
For those planning to hike in areas known for mountain lion activity, officials recommend going in groups and keeping pets leashed. In the event of an encounter, they advise hiking enthusiasts to back away slowly while making themselves appear larger. If attacked, they encourage individuals to fight back, reinforcing the importance of preparedness in the wilderness.
