Another Day of Picks, Shovels and Bobcat Pictures

Most mountain lion sightings turn out to be bobcats, much smaller and less dangerous animals, even in populated areas. Hauck carries with him pictures of both felines to help people identify the cat in question. This one is a bobcat. Hauck educates the school officials on the difference between the two animals, but assures them that calling for help was the best, safest option.

That adventure completed, Hauck and Ranger Linh Dinh head to the fire roads that provide access to the Verdugo Mountains for hikers, bikers, crews servicing radio antennas, rescue crews, and in case of brush fires, firefighters.

Dinh, driving a four-wheel drive truck, leads the way up the La Tuna Canyon Motorway toward the Glendale roads that fall under the rangers' jurisdiction.

Hauck follows behind in the Jeep. He has asked Dinh to go first, because, "I was driving up here once and a mountain biker hit me, so I'm a little gun-shy."

Hauck and Dinh have no idea how far they'll get before a landslide or washout forces them to turn back. "We're just hoping this is our best chance for getting in," Hauck says.

They have brought along picks, shovels, pry bars and a sledgehammer to move rocks and dirt if it looks like they can make a slide passable.

"We just make sure they're passable by ranger vehicles," Hauck says. The department is expecting delivery of some all-terrain vehicles, which will make more roads passable for the rangers, who are called upon to assist in rescues of injured or lost hikers or bikers about 20 times a year.