Hikers capture close encounter with large mountain lion on camera

TULARE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Two hikers in California got more nature than they bargained for one day during a hiking trip on the High Sierra Trail in Sequoia[e] National Park last month.

Seasoned hikers Sam Vonderheide[f] and Brian McKinney were on the first day of their 11-day hike, and while recording their adventure as they walked, the duo suddenly found themselves face to face with a large mountain lion, ABC News reported.

The big cat stared them down, but the pair still managed to keep their wits about them enough to back away slowly, all the while trying not to agitate the huge feline. The tactic apparently worked, and the pair lived to tell the tale.

Wildlife biologist Daniel Gammons said both men did the right thing by not acting like they were prey, and made themselves appear larger by waving their arms over their heads to hold off the animal.

The men later set up a camp two miles away from where they encountered the mountain lion, but neither of them slept that night. When they finished their hike, that is when they noticed all the warning signs have been put in place for the visitors.