Statistically, yes... a firearm isn't needed. But our trailhead parking lots here are littered with smashed windows, and attacks of varying severity aren't that uncommon.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/son_testifies_against_father_i.html
"A Vancouver father was convicted this evening, in part on his son's testimony, of robbing and severely beating a skier last February near Washougal.
A Skamania County jury took less than two hours to find Michael David Collins, 34, guilty of attempted murder and first-degree robbery.
His son, Teven Collins, 17, testified that, at his father's direction, he struck skier Robert Tracey once with a large stick and used a rope to drag him into some bushes. He also took Tracey's vehicle keys and backpack.
Teven Collins also testified his father struck Tracey several times with the club.
"He said he could never give an explanation of why he did it, other than he was doing this with his father, who has been essentially grooming him for a period of time, telling him how he had to earn his bones or body count,"
Even people not hiking, just stopped for a rest in the general vicinity.
http://www.katu.com/news/local/Truck-driver-stabbed-at-Gorge-viewpoint-near-Corbett-185658472.html
"Troopers said Edwin Jones, 39, told them he was stopped at a viewpoint on Interstate 84 near Corbett due to traffic when he was approached by two men at about 12:30 a.m. Jones is from Nebraska.
Police said Jones told them the men asked him for money and cigarettes.
When he refused, one of the men, described as a white male, pulled a knife and injured Jones on his hand, lower arm and stomach, police said in a press release."
I'm used to the weight, but I'd consider anything you were willing to carry at that point to be appropriate.