> At a Glance
> – A hiker fought off a mountain lion on Colorado’s Crosier Mountain trail on Nov. 11
> – A woman was found dead on the same trail on Jan. 1 in an apparent mountain lion attack
> – Two mountain lions were euthanized after the woman’s death
> – Why it matters: A previous attack warning had been posted and later removed before the fatal incident
Gary Messina’s morning hike turned into a fight for survival when a mountain lion attacked him on Colorado’s Crosier Mountain trail-weeks before another person died on the same path in what authorities believe was another lion attack.
The November Attack
Messina, 32, told the Associated Press he spotted the lion’s eyes reflecting in his headlamp around dawn on November 11. After taking a photo with his phone, he threw the device at the charging animal.
> Gary Messina recalled:
> “I had to fight it off because it was basically trying to maul me. I was scared for my life and I wasn’t able to escape. I tried backing up and it would try to lunge at me.”
The Colorado resident said he yelled, kicked dirt, and eventually grabbed a bat-sized stick to strike the lion on the head, causing it to flee.
The New Year’s Day Tragedy
On January 1, a woman was found dead on the same trail. Wildlife officials said hikers discovered a mountain lion near her body and scared it away by throwing rocks.
Kara Van Hoose, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson, said Messina reported his encounter days after it happened. Officials posted warning signs in the area, which were later removed before the January incident.
Following the woman’s death:
- Two mountain lions were located and euthanized
- A search for a third lion continued on January 2
- Officials stated they don’t know if one or multiple animals were involved
> Kara Van Hoose explained:
> “According to CPW policies, wildlife involved in attacks on humans must be euthanized to ensure public safety.”
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov. 11 | Gary Messina fights off mountain lion |
| Nov. (days later) | Warning signs posted |
| Dec. | Warning signs removed |
| Jan. 1 | Woman found dead, suspected lion attack |
| Jan. 2 | Two lions euthanized, search for third continues |
Key Takeaways
- The same trail saw two mountain lion encounters within two months
- Warning signs from the November incident were removed before the January attack
- Wildlife officials euthanized two lions as a public safety measure
- The woman’s identity has not been released
Messina believes the lion that attacked him may be the same one responsible for the woman’s death weeks later.
