Dr.Amber Trichome
Well-Known Member
In Washington state the most dangerous animal was the goat . Plus human predators are prowling as well. When I was a hard core hiker in the North cascades and Mt baker and The olympics, and all into the Washington state trails for years I met up with a lot of wild animals. One time on the trail I met the sister of a Women who was shot dead by a 12 year old with a rifle out hunting with grandpa on a foggy day. He thought she was a bear. An aggressive goat I encountered in the Olympics on the Hurricane ridge range trail ,who by all accounts was out of control and should have been removed sooner, killed a hiker the following week I was there.Even on the trail bears are a problem at some of the shelters. People don't follow LNT guidelines. But far and away the most destructive animal you will meet on the trail is the mouse, and the most dangerous one the tick.
When I was out there ....there were very few bear attacks at all . People were really good about storing their food properly. I never saw a mountain lion but they were out there and I am pretty sure I was being stalked a couple times.
I am not even remotely interested in hiking anymore. It really did some damage on my knees .