That sounds like the mountain lion attacks in Orange County in January 2004:
http://www.bikemag.com/news/mntlion/
“That sounds like the mountain lion attacks in Orange County in January 2004”
Good rule of thumb to always carry a handgun when in wilderness areas. Here in AZ there are some desert parks inside city limits where it’s not allowed, but I’ve never seen cat sign their either. The most dangerous things in those places are personal stupidity, rattlers, scorpions, and javalina, in that order. Anytime outside Phoenix city limits - I always pack.
When I go bird hunting, I always carry a sidearm. It’s extra weight, but I don’t expect 2 rounds of #8 birdshot (I hoist an over/under) to take down a large desert critter like a wolf or lion. In southern AZ we have leopards, too, and some wolf sighting as well. Usual sidearm is an old .357 revolver and usually pack a speed loader too... Highly accurate, big round, and extremely reliable - revolvers tend not to jam even when muddy and/or wet.
On the other hand, if a big cat wants to jump you from behind, not much you can do about it other than be catfood.