A terrifying moment unfolded on a popular Orange County trail when two mountain bikers found themselves face-to-face with a stalking mountain lion — and the entire encounter was captured on video. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Lake Forest, the same area where a cyclist was tragically killed by a cougar in 2004.

The cyclists, who wished to remain anonymous, recalled spotting the big cat hidden among the bushes before it began descending toward them. The chilling footage shows the mountain lion following the pair closely down the narrow trail, its movements calculated and intense. Keeping their bikes between themselves and the animal, the bikers slowly backed away, maintaining eye contact as the predator shadowed their every move.

Despite shouting in an effort to scare it off, the mountain lion continued to follow. At one point, the riders prayed aloud for protection as the situation grew increasingly tense. The encounter reached its most frightening moment when the cougar suddenly charged toward them—before veering off the path and disappearing over the mountainside.

Local wildlife expert and community scientist **Mark Girardeau**, who has been documenting cougars in the Santa Ana Mountains, identified the mountain lion as a young juvenile. “It’s concerning, because typically mountain lions don’t want anything to do with humans,” Girardeau explained. He believes the animal was likely recently separated from its mother and may have been acting out of curiosity rather than aggression.

Authorities have confirmed that rangers were notified following the encounter, and another reported sighting of the same lion occurred later that day. Wildlife officials are monitoring the area closely to ensure the safety of trail users.

Though the two cyclists escaped unharmed, they described the experience as deeply unsettling—and are urging fellow outdoor enthusiasts to remain vigilant on Orange County’s scenic trails. The video, now circulating widely online, serves as a stark reminder that California’s wilderness, though beautiful, is still very much wild.