Camping/Hiking Gun in the Rockies suggestions.

[Jackrabbit]

You don't see mountain lions until they are on you. They don't exactly lumber through the woods like a bear.

[GilpinGuy]

Ask how many real backpackers out there have really seen a mountain lion? very few. I spend a ton of time on the trails around here which are supposed to be home of the largest population of cats in the country and I have yet to see one. So far the what, 2 or 3 attacks over the years have been a lone jogger out trail running, the one little kid with his family in Boulder and the one little kid in Ft Collins hiking with his family. Both kids were stragling off from the group. I don't consider them a real threat, if one does attack a stick will likely protect you just as well as a gun. As others have said the 2 legged animals out there can be a little strange at times.

My chances of needing to use my concealed weapon are very, very slim in civilization as well, but I carry that everywhere I go just in case. Same goes for the wilderness.

[Wulf202]

G20 or a quality (not Taurus ) 357 or larger revolver would be ideal

[ezgoinrob]

I carry my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan Double-Action 454 Casull Revolver.

KA-BLAM!!!

Ez

[birddog]

S&W 329PD for me. I really don't think I need the .44 mag but this way I don't have to worry if I do. I walked up on a bull moose at ~ 7 yards a few years ago and it made me want to be sure that if it ever happens again I'm ready. I never did need a gun that day but it sure would have made me feel better.

this gun is light enough that I don't leave it in the truck.

[BPTactical]

Glock 20.
15 rounds of near .357 has redeeming "social qualities".
A fair amount of guides in AK are starting to adopt them.
You drop it in the creek or mud, it will still do what it is designed to do.
That happens with a wheelgun you are SOL.

[Troublco]

What is your opinion on a Glock 20? I figure 10mm is a pretty effective round and the idea of having 15+1 along with the possibility of rapid and plentiful follow up shots. Plus, I am very comfortable with Glock.

My Glock 20 replaced my Smith 686 as my general purpose go to gun including as my hunting sidearm. There are a couple of loads available that push it up to legal for handgun hunting, with an aftermarket 6" barrel. I was going to buy a .41 Mag for hog hunting and while I was researching that I found the 10mm. I bought the G20 because, like all Glocks, you can get literally anything for them. Mine has ghost ring night sights, a Ghost 3.5# connector, a Stainless guide rod with an ISMI spring, decal grips, and a lanyard loop plug. My thinking was a lot like yours; I figured if I was going to use a handgun for hog hunting I liked the idea of 15+1 with quick reloads. Plus you have the Glock reliability. What's not to love?

ETA: I see BP thinks like I do, or I think like he does...

Ask how many real backpackers out there have really seen a mountain lion? very few. I spend a ton of time on the trails around here which are supposed to be home of the largest population of cats in the country and I have yet to see one. So far the what, 2 or 3 attacks over the years have been a lone jogger out trail running, the one little kid with his family in Boulder and the one little kid in Ft Collins hiking with his family. Both kids were stragling off from the group. I don't consider them a real threat, if one does attack a stick will likely protect you just as well as a gun. As others have said the 2 legged animals out there can be a little strange at times.

A very good friend and hunting companion of mine was stalked by a mountain lion while he was coming back to camp three years ago. Statistically, the need for a concealed carry piece is very small. But when you need one, you need it badly. I'd rather have it and not need it than the other way around.

My chances of needing to use my concealed weapon are very, very slim in civilization as well, but I carry that everywhere I go just in case. Same goes for the wilderness.

You never need it as badly as when you REALLY need it.

[Atrain1]

A Taurus Tracker .44 would probably be fine for whatever you'd run into out here. It can't handle the Buffalo Bore grizzly loads, but you won't run into griz out here. It holds 5 shots, is portable and light, and the .44 can be loaded to very respectable levels for mountain cats and black bears. The Ruger Redhawk in a short barreled flavor would be a heftier (and therefore could handle the nastier hardcast loads with ease) choice, but is still easily portable in a chest rig or cowboy-type hip holster.

I agree with this as both will handle high powered 44 magnum loads, the Ruger a bit more than the Taurus. Depending on the money you want to spend you can always go with a Ruger Alaskan in either 44 magnum or 454 Casull. If you want something that will really do damage just by a Hi-Point as you do not even need bullets, I think they were made to throw at your intended target for maximum damage.

[KestrelBike]

Ask how many real backpackers out there have really seen a mountain lion? very few. I spend a ton of time on the trails around here which are supposed to be home of the largest population of cats in the country and I have yet to see one. So far the what, 2 or 3 attacks over the years have been a lone jogger out trail running, the one little kid with his family in Boulder and the one little kid in Ft Collins hiking with his family. Both kids were stragling off from the group. I don't consider them a real threat, if one does attack a stick will likely protect you just as well as a gun. As others have said the 2 legged animals out there can be a little strange at times.

The one mountain lion I've seen was in an urban park in SoCal, hauling butt after a rabbit and luckily not me.

[Atrain1]

The one mountain lion I've seen was in an urban park in SoCal, hauling butt after a rabbit and luckily not me.

I was going to say when I was in northern California I seen a couple every time we went into the mountains and they were close.