5AM runs in the mountains

I do 5am runs in the mountains year around. If you don't have a dog look to borrow one. Put an ad on Craigslist. I'm sure there are people who would be glad to have their dog exercised. You might even get paid for it.

Why not wait until 6, or at least until the sun is up? I have done a lot of early morning hikes / runs on my way to fishing spots and have never had a problem with any predators (although I have come a little closer to some moose than I would have liked, more due to fog than a limited amount of daylight). I did know of one runner in a club I used to train with that was killed by a mountain lion, but that was in the evening, not the morning. You could always run with a bell and a carry some pepper spray if you are that concerned.

I live in the Sierras 3 months of the year in late summer. Yes, definitely putting yourself at risk with mountain lions, and more importantly, for bears. Surprising a bear in the dark gets people killed. Run with a headlight, as well as bells on each of your shoes. Lots of both types of animals there. Use your head, but also go run.