Visitors looking forward to a hike at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space (HTMOS) can lace up their boots once more, as the popular recreation area is set to reopen this Friday. The space was temporarily closed following a sighting of a mountain lion that appeared a little too curious about a hiker, engaging in what was described as "suspicious behavior." While some of us in the city get spooked by aggressive pigeons, mountain lions are decidedly a bigger deal. According to a social media post from Larimer County Natural Resources, the lion's behavior prompted the precautionary closure.
During the closure, staff from LCDNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) were out in force, scouring the terrain and keeping an eye peeled for the crafty cat. But their search came up empty; the lion seemed to have slinked off into the shadows, much to the relief of the staff and future hikers alike. Still, echoing a mountain's call, the public is being warned: stay sharp and learn what to do if you stumble upon one of these feline critters, because they are not the sort to cuddle up and purr. CPW offers guidance for such encounters on their website, because knowledge is power, especially when it's you vs. nature.
When the gates swing open at HTMOS, and nature enthusiasts traipse back into its wild embrace, officials want to make it clear that safety is paramount. "The public is advised to be aware of heightened mountain lion activity in the open space," said a representative, as per Larimer County Natural Resources. For those willing to brave the trails, they must hit the ground running with the knowledge of how to handle a close encounter of the feline kind, tips for which can be found at CPW's website, cpw.state.co.us/living-mountain-lions.
