The trail remains on the ledge for 0.3 mile (500 m), then drops down again more gently on the north slope. Not too long after reaching level ground, the climb up Panther proper begins. At first the trail gently switches back up some rocky stretches of the mountain's south slope, then at from the ledge, a short side trail leads to an excellent viewpoint over the Burroughs Range at about 3,300 feet (1,000 m). Another 0.2 mile (400 m) further, the trail passes a grassy area that has been home to a less reliable spring in the past. Not too far beyond, in the middle of two steep, rocky chutes, the trail passes the sign marking 3,500 feet (1,067 m) in elevation, above which open fires are forbidden and camping is only permitted in winter, due to the fragile high-montane environment. The trail levels off gently but there is still almost 0.5 mile (1 km) to the small ledge with a view to the northeast that marks the summit.