Authorities issue warning after spotting large predator in surprising location

📍 Location

📝 Description

Initial witness description stated it looked surreal with sharp facial features and muscles. Latest reports confirm the sighting was of a mountain lion on Boot Canyon Trail near the Emory Peak junction in Big Bend National Park, Texas, observed by three hikers in the predawn hours of November 12, 2025. The animal was described as a large tan mountain lion with a long tail and a black tip; it was seen perched on a rock, watching the group before moving away. The encounter lasted under a minute. The hikers reported the sighting to a park volunteer and officials. This aligns with Big Bend’s ongoing record of mountain lion sightings (roughly 150 per year) and with standard safety guidelines for wildlife encounters.

🔍 Circumstances

Three hikers on Boot Canyon Trail, about half a mile south of the Emory Peak junction, Big Bend National Park, encountered a mountain lion that leapt across the trail and watched them from a rock. They backed away, made noise, and eventually the animal moved off. A park volunteer was informed, and the sighting was reported to park authorities.

👤 Physical Description

Large tan body with a long tail and a black-tipped tail; observed with a tilted head while staring from a rock. Witness described the animal as having sharp facial features and pronounced musculature.

ℹ️ Additional Details

No injuries reported. Observers followed safety guidance: do not run, stand tall, maintain eye contact, and back away slowly. Mountain lion sightings are common in Big Bend (roughly 150 per year). Trail signs advise hikers on safety procedures; hikers reported the incident to a park volunteer and officials afterward.

🔗 Sources (4)

👥 Community Contributions

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