A woman was killed in a suspected mountain lion attack while hiking alone on a remote trail in northern Colorado, marking the first fatal attack in the state in over 25 years. The incident occurred on Thursday, October 26, 2023, in the mountains south of Glen Haven, approximately 11 kilometers northeast of Estes Park, a well-known entry point to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Wildlife officers from Colorado Parks and Wildlife later located and fatally shot two mountain lions in the area, as confirmed by spokeswoman Kara Van Hoose. The attack took place along the Crosier Mountain Trail, a path situated within a national forest.
Shortly before noon, two hikers came across the victim’s body near the mountain lion. In an effort to assist, they threw rocks to drive the animal away from the area. One of the hikers, who is a physician, attempted to help the woman but unfortunately found no pulse. The specific details regarding her injuries and the cause of death have not yet been released.
As the investigation continues, Van Hoose indicated that the search for additional mountain lions in the vicinity remains active. She noted that the circumstances surrounding any found lions would determine whether they would be killed. Sightings of mountain lions are common in the forested regions of Larimer County, where the incident occurred, but there have been no recent documented attacks on humans.
“This is a very common time of year for mountain lion sightings and reports, especially in Larimer County, which provides excellent habitat for these animals,” Van Hoose explained. “Trails in this area are remote, featuring wooded and rocky terrain with significant elevation changes.”
Mountain lion attacks are exceedingly rare. The last confirmed fatal attack in Colorado occurred in 1999 when a three-year-old child lost their life. Prior to that, in 1997, a ten-year-old boy was killed by a mountain lion while hiking with family members in Rocky Mountain National Park.
In a separate incident last year in Northern California, two brothers were stalked and attacked by a mountain lion while hiking. One brother tragically lost his life during the encounter. Mountain lions, also referred to as cougars or catamounts, can weigh up to 60 kilograms and grow more than 1.8 meters in length. They primarily feed on deer, and Colorado is estimated to host between 3,800 and 4,400 of these big-game animals, which can be legally hunted in the state.
As authorities continue their investigation, the tragic event serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with hiking in remote areas where wildlife encounters can occur.
