Two campers at St. Mary’s Glacier got a lot more wilderness than they bargained for on April 2, when a mountain lion reportedly stalked them on the popular alpine route. Clear Creek County deputies say both people were brought out safely after a backcountry rescue, with the animal ultimately scared off and no injuries reported.
How deputies reached the campers
According to a Facebook reel from the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Aab and Deputy Bertrand met one of the campers at the St. Mary’s Glacier trailhead, then loaded an ATV and drove it as far up the route as the machine could go. From there, they ditched the wheels, hiked roughly another mile up the trail, and located the second camper. Deputies then escorted that camper back down to the trailhead, scaring the mountain lion away in the process and getting both people out without anyone being hurt.
Volunteers and the limits of backcountry rescue
The sheriff’s post even notes, “We admire Alpine Rescue Team and leave backcountry rescues to the experts,” according to a Facebook reel from the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office. Alpine Rescue Team's public mission logs show the volunteer group has been called to the St. Mary’s area on prior missions, underscoring that the more technical extractions are typically handled by specialized rescue crews. In the video, deputies are shown doing a straightforward reach-and-escort while still tipping their hats to volunteer partners who tackle the tougher backcountry work.
What to do if you encounter a mountain lion
Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges anyone who comes face to face with a mountain lion to stay calm, make themselves look big, avoid running, and back away slowly - guidance summarized in the agency's “SMART” mnemonic: Stop, Make yourself look big, Announce, Retreat, Tell. The agency also recommends traveling in groups when possible, carrying a noisemaker or bear spray, and reporting any sightings to wildlife officers, as outlined by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Officials say those precautions help keep encounters rare and non-fatal.
St. Mary’s Glacier is a busy, high-elevation spot
St. Mary’s Glacier is a short but heavily used alpine route near Idaho Springs that pulls in day hikers and backcountry visitors to high elevation terrain. The Colorado Mountain Club notes the trail’s popularity and relatively brief distance, which can put people surprisingly close to wildlife in rugged, snow-scoured country, so users are urged to stay alert and prepared, according to the Colorado Mountain Club.
Clear Creek County’s video and post serve as a reminder that even crowded Front Range favorites can deliver tense wildlife encounters. If you see an aggressive mountain lion, contact local law enforcement and Colorado Parks and Wildlife so officers can monitor the situation and respond. Deputies and volunteer teams ask visitors to give wildlife space and report conflicts quickly to reduce the chance of things escalating.
