Hello all, it's been a while since I've posted here. I have been hiking a bit, but not anywhere too new, until this weekend. I went from San Diego east through Julian to the 78 and right where it starts to get into Anza Borrego, I stopped at Plum Canyon and walked south. I walked south up a canyon down a dry riverbed but the further I got the more I started to see scuff marks and signs of animal activity. Then I saw some droppings on the ground that looked rather big and not like coyote poo I see around (no berries or plant material I could see).
I was planning to sleep overnight but I freaked myself out. It looked like I was on an animal freeway and I saw six large droppings on my way and convinced myself I was going to camp in the middle of a mountain lion killing field. It was a narrow canyon and I thought I would be blocking some mountain lion's path and leave it with no choice but to eviscerate me.
Now I think this is pretty silly since attacks are so rare, but is there some danger in camping in a place like this? I like to sit in my chair and read or simply look at the stars for hours from dusk until late into the night. I think this would be the perfect time for a mountain lion to eat me
Here are some pictures I took. Is this from a mountain lion or coyote? Should I worry about anything out there or is it safe to sit in a chair in a mountain lion canyon and read or skywatch by myself?
I ended up hiking back down and sleeping in the wash area where I felt completely comfortable.