Day Hike - Lost Valley Loop

Seven of us did the hike going in a counterclockwise direction.   At the trailhead we saw some information about a cougar and its cubs that were seen in the area, but we didn't see them on the trail.  The weather was cloudy, but dry. The tail was a little muddy and slick in several places.  Finished the hike in about 5 hours.  When we got back to the trailhead, there were several cars there, with people who were unloading lots of mountain bikes.  There was a lot of bike tread prints in the mud.  There was a bit of confusion because one of the drivers was waiting at the nearby campground instead of the trailhead parking lot.