Few Fear Lions as Wilderness Park Reopens

A steady stream of hikers, campers, curiosity seekers and picnickers marked the reopening Friday of Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, which had been closed since a mountain lion attacked a 6-year-old boy there Oct. 19.

Visitors to the park near San Juan Capistrano faced new regulations, including mandatory wilderness permits that explain the 7,600-acre park’s dangers, such as mountain lions, rattlesnakes, poison oak and rugged terrain.

The regulations also require that visitors stay together in groups of two or more at all times and restrict minors to picnic areas or the visitors’ center.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the new regulations after the latest lion attack, which followed an attack on a 5-year-old El Toro girl in March.

There were more visitors in the park Friday than expected, said Senior Park Ranger Bruce Buchman. “Usually, we are fairly light this time of year. But it’s the holiday so more people are using the parks,” Buchman said. By noon, about 70 people had filled out wilderness permits.

Buchman said county officials have posted about 50 new signs throughout the park, warning visitors of the lions and stating the new regulations.

Russ and Donna Potter of Dana Point filled out forms at the park’s main gate so they can camp until Sunday night. “We heard about the lion attacks,” Potter said in his camper. “But nothing beats the serenity here. We prefer the quiet and we are not afraid of the lions.”