I find myself thinking I need one of these. Partly for fun and partly for protection in the mountains.
Any experience/thoughts on this handgun?

https://ruger.com/products/lcrx/specSheets/5444.html

No experience here with that model, just thoughts: As folks try to talk you out of a .357, stick to your guns (so to speak). If you want one, get one.

I carry a 3" 357 for woods carry. I have to say its a good combination of weight size and power. Small and light enough that i can always carry even if going a long way, small enough that I can conceal when i need to, like when using a public trail for access and I don't want to wig-out the Granola heads. Plenty of power for coyotes and two legged predators and should dissuade black bears and we don't have anything larger. Mine is scandium 3" so I practice with light 38's but the Ruger the OP listed should have enough heft to let you shoot a fair amount of full power in it. And I don't have to hunt for my brass. The 3" gives me enough sight radius to shoot reasonable accurately.