The road will pass the ranger station and the general store. The road stops in a parking lot just past the planetarium . The road continues past the overlook, but is blocked to car traffic. The trail winds down about 60 feet at an easy grade. When you reach bottom you will be in the saddle between Monte Sano and Panther Knob.
Several trails cross here, so it's easy to get on the wrong path.
You will first reach a spot where three trails branch off from your path. You'll come to a second intersection almost immediately. Keep to the right. The climb up Panther Knob is mild. A short side trail leads to the knob itself.