What kind of animals are typically seen out there? Also what are the chances of running into any big animal that might be hungry for humans while walking the trails?

Cougars roam around

I have hike in this area every summer for the last 20 yrs... Never seen more then a deer or smaller, nothing dangerous... Now that being said I have most always been with more then one other person and the group noise would he rather noisy and lots of laughter... This is key to being safe in backwood areas.

Typically, only squirrels and birds on loop trail. As one goes deeper and further from other people chances increase of seeing deer, elk, sheep, and bear. Chances of encountering a bear are small, even less for a cougar. Know how to handle these encounters before going into backcountry.

There are elk. deer. cougar. bear. Salamanders. Snakes. Don't get between any animal and their babies