This thought about tracks and encountering other critters .. I still think the most likely to be dangerous is other humans. There are a lot of good people out there. It only takes one problem person, though sometimes those travel in packs. Watch out around campgrounds and trailheads, they present a predatory person with an ideal opportunity .. people with their guard down, possibly few witnesses, and a ready way to escape / fade into the crowd (traffic). Maintain situational awareness .. ear buds out, cell phones pocketed / put away, hands free, and keys handy. You want to be able to walk to your car, open the door, throw in your pack, climb in, and drive away with no searching for keys etc while you are at your maximum exposure to risk. Probably all will be cool, but it is better to be over prepared than under prepared.