Hiker remains calm during mountain lion encounter in Ojai

In California, a hiker named Cortney Rasura had a startling encounter with a mountain lion while hiking the Gridley Trail in Ojai on July 3, 2025. This marked her first time ever coming face-to-face with the large wild cat during her 15 years of hiking in the area. Rasura, who was hiking alone, noticed the mountain lion while looking down at her cell phone. She managed to keep her composure, recording the encounter and standing her ground as the mountain lion approached the trail closer to her. Experts from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommend that hikers maintain calm, avoid running, and appear larger when confronted by mountain lions, which were the steps she took instinctively during the encounter. Thankfully, mountain lion attacks are quite rare, with only one fatal incident reported in California over the past decade. Wildlife officials emphasize that while the risk from mountain lions is lower than that from humans, caution is always advisable when hiking in areas where wildlife may be present. Rasura stated that this encounter would not deter her from continuing to hike the trails she loves but would ensure she prepares more for future hikes. The meeting allowed her to experience the majesty of wildlife up close, despite the initial panic that accompanied the situation.