MOUNT TAMALPAIS -- A group of campers got a little too close of an encounter with nature early Wednesday when they were awakened by two amorous mountain lions on the slopes of Marin's Mount Tamalpais.

The anxious moments began around 4 a.m. at the popular Pan Toll Campground when growling noises awakened Chris Arruda and his girlfriend.

"I heard another one growl up on the hill and the other one answer," he said. "I was like 'Oh!' … freaking out… We were watching the thing (the lion) for an hour and a half going back and forth a couple times… saying 'Oh God, what do we do?"

Finally, Arruda decided it was time for he and his girlfriend to flee the area.

"I made a split second decision to do it (to leave their tent)," he said. "I took off my belt and made a snapping noise, shined my light. Got out…threw a big rock…told her (his girlfriend) to go ahead of me and shined the light to make sure it didn't come."

Arruda and his girlfriend made their way to their car and then to a phone to call park rangers so other campers in the area could be warned.

Ranger Jeremy Burn said authorities responded quickly to the report.

"They had a reliable sighting, not far from their tent," Burn said. "They also reported hearing another one, which is very rare, unless the mountain lions were mating."

Burn said the other campers were warned and the area searched.

"It was a totally appropriate reaction by the animals," said Burn, who doubted they were a threat to the campers. "They didn't take any aggressive action toward the humans. They were just going along with their business. We just monitor reports like this instead of contacting Fish and Game and hunting them down."

Burn said it was common to see mountain lions in the distance near the campsite because it is part of the animal's natural habitat. Close encounters like Wednesday's, however, are rare.

Hikers arriving in the early morning hours on the popular nearby Pan Toll Trailhead decided to cancel their walk for the day after being told of the sighting.

"No I don’t' worry (about encountering a mountain lion)," said Lauren Ritchey of Oakland. "But I don't think I gonna hike today. It's best to be cautious."

Park officials say if you encounter a mountain lion you should:

• Do not run away. This may stimulate the animal's predatory instincts.
• Make eye contact.
• Pick up small children so they don't panic and run.
• Try to make yourself appear larger by raising your arms and opening your jacket.
• Throw stones, branches or anything else you can reach without bending over.
• Fight back if attacked.