Mounties are warning the public about a man who grabbed a female runner on a popular local hiking trail last weekend.

Police say two women were running on the Tea Pot Hill trail near Cultus Lake last Sunday around 6 p.m. when a man grabbed one of them from behind.

The RCMP says the man grabbed one of the woman by the shoulder. She was able to escape his grasp and both women ran away and called police.

"This is a really popular place for people to hike and run," RCMP spokesperson Const. Tracy Wolbeck said. "This is an isolated incident but we want everyone to be aware and alert when doing any hiking or trail running in the area."

Police say the man was in his 20s and wore dark clothing. The women described him as being scruffy.

Mounties are reminding anyone heading outdoors to always tell another person where they are going and when they plan to be back.

? Anyone with information is asked to call police at 604-792-4611 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.