Kenton Wiens had never seen a cougar - until Sunday afternoon, when one bounded up onto the trail where he was mountain biking in Powell Butte Nature Park in Southeast Portland.

The Mt. Tabor resident was alone about 3 p.m. on the Mountain View Trail, about 100 yards from the hard right turn that that trail makes from south to west, when the cougar bounded up onto the trail about 40 yards in front of him, he said.

"I didn't see its head, as it was obscured by the foliage on the opposite side of the path," Wiens said. "But I did see, quite clearly for a few seconds, his full flank, tail, coloration and movement."

"Cats have such a unique manner of moving," he added. "I'm pretty sure he didn't know I was there."

Wiens said the cougar crouched back on its haunches a little, and then bounded up the embankment on the other side of the trail, disappearing into the brush. He estimated the cougar's weight at more than 150 pounds.

"I stopped abruptly, kind of stunned for a minute, wondering if I really just saw what I saw. Then turned around and headed out of the area," he said.

Wiens reported his sighting to Portland Parks and Recreation. Following the report, signs were posted at the park warning hikers to stay in groups and keep children and pets close.

The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife could not confirm the sighting because Wiens wasn't able to get a photo. "But not being able to confirm is fairly common when it comes to cougar sightings," said a department spokeswoman, Michelle Dennehy. "If you get a picture, send it our way, which helps us confirm."

Dennehy added that the department does not consider a cougar sighting to be a public safety issue unless a cougar is seen repeatedly in daylight, hanging around people or killing pets. "Cougar sightings are not uncommon around the Portland area," she said.

Gail Davis puts on a nervous expression next to a sign warning about a cougar sighting at Powell Butte Nature Park.

On Friday, several hikers at Powell Butte Nature Park recalled recent news about a cougar attack in Washington that killed one man and hurt another. But Lynn Handlin wasn't worried.

"That is wonderful!" Handlin said of Wiens' sighting. "I love cougars. They are such a beautiful animal. They are fine when a healthy habitat is coming back.

"If I knew it was here, I would have come here earlier," she added.

Gail Davis of Illinois, who was visiting her daughter in Portland, was walking her daughter's dog, Tilly, at the park. "I am not super nervous about it, but I should be more nervous," she said, adding that she wouldn't want the dog to be eaten. She turned to the dog: "Please, don't be eaten by a cougar, Tilly."

Rick Swart, a spokesman with the wildlife department, said it advises people who encounter a cougar to stay calm and stand their ground, maintain direct eye contact, not run, back away slowly, and raise their voice and speak firmly.

The department's website says, "If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands. If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, tools or any items available."