Strange sound near Reeds Meadow

[SEH_Dad]

Last night my son and I hiked in and camped near Reeds Meadow on the Caramba trail. We started our hike at Humber Park and arrived at around 5:30 PM. We were the only ones in the area, as far as we could tell.

Sometime between 9 and 10 PM we heard what would be best described as a woman screaming four or five times. We were talking when we first heard the sound and immediately stopped to try and figure out what it was. The last scream sound came at a distance, so we initially thought it was some sort of bird that was flying off. It was very disturbing to hear the sound, since neither of us had ever heard anything like it and we were alone on a mountain.

After doing some research on the internet, I think it may be the sound of a mountain lion because it's similar to what's in this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y58g_nvMIRw

Has anyone heard a similar sound in the San Jacinto Wilderness or know if there have been any recent mountain lion sightings in the area? If there are, then the last scream sound we heard was likely a response from another lion since it was a ways off.

[Sally]

That sounds really creepy. I've never seen a mountain lion, but I am pretty sure I saw their tracks in the snow around Saddle Junction and at the South Ridge trailhead a couple of years ago. I used to hike solo a lot, and the only thing I was scared of was big cats. Thank heavens that Ellen puts up with me now so I don't have to hike alone!

[cynthia23]

Oh my gosh, I listened to that video, it was TERRIFYING. I cannot imagine hearing that while camping in the woods--that's worse than the Blair Witch!

Yes, the ML are up there--numerous sightings-- so that's definitely what you heard. Chilling.

[wb]

After doing some research on the internet, I think it may be the sound of a mountain lion because it's similar to what's in this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y58g_nvMIRw

It sounds a little bit like the shower scene scream in Hitchcock's movie, Psycho. The YouTube audio sounds like a woman screaming into a microphone. It does seem improbable to be able to capture a clear audio of a cougar scream in the wild with the clarity and close proximity required for this particular event. The stream and crickets in the background cease once the screams begin, which sort of gives this audio away. But it was entertaining.

[guest]

If that's the sound you heard, I would like someone to verify (as much as possible), that Mt. Lions can make this sound, that would freak me out too!
I've heard many Screech Owls, (and you may have too), they sound somewhat like that, but a lot more screech than scream.

ss

[JenG.]

Geez - I was going to say raccoon, then I found this video and....mountain lion. I spent two nights alone camping last week in areas where I was not just one set of tracks, but many different sizes, including the largest cougar tracks I've ever seen. I was anxious to say the least - facts are, though that mountain lions are elusive and solitary. The few documented attacks on humans end with most humans fighting them off. The highest percentage of victims are kids without adults around. And we can't really be all that tasty - especially not with all the twinkles ate last year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM2Sw8dsMDQ

[HH8]

we heard what would be best described as a woman screaming four or five times.

It is springtime, you know.
And have you ever heard the sounds those HUMANS make?

[phydeux]

Springtime . . . probably a female calling out to attract a mate, or they had already found each other and were 'in the act.' Most cats will copulate numerous times over a day during a mating period. The nearby spot was probably where they had left scent marks during their normal travels, so both knew the other frequented that spot; you just happened to camp nearby on the right day at the right time. Here's a video with it happening at a zoo (admins can delete it if they want to):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK63vULpVuI


Also look up the YouTube video "Cougars with Benefits" (yes that's what its called!), also taken at a zoo, but with more background noise.

[Andy]

I concur with the female mt. lion. This is funny because just a couple weeks ago I was telling the story of when I was a little kid and we were living out the sticks near Pala and I hear this for the first time. It was night time and my mom left me home alone while she drove a couple miles away to pick up my sister from a friends house. I was usually pretty good about getting spooked by bumps in the night and such, but when I heard this sound i was convince that it was my mom. Needless to say, I was a complete wreck when she got back home.

[zippetydude]

Sorry, you're all wrong. I'm pretty sure that was Steve... Those long miles on the trail can get to you, especially around 4:00 a.m. Even the best of us gotta let out the pain once in a while. I've heard him scream like that when he came across a place where someone had made a new shortcut on Skyline. He's pretty sensitive about that.

z