Alta Trail near Panther Gap

[Wahiker9]

Quick question: in my Sierra South backpacking book the author describes the exposure on the Alta Trail just past Panther Gap as troublesome for "acrophobes" and describes the section as narrow, sandy and mostly exposed. It's such a popular trail that I didn't imagine it as dangerous. Is this part of the trail really that scary?

[wildhiker]

I've done it three times and never thought it was scary. All I remember is that it had great views!
-Phil

[astrogerly]

I agree with Phil. I’ve done it several times - including post injury that resulted in occasional balance issues - and I’ve never found this trail to be scary/dangerous. As Phil mentions, the views are great!

[shawnterustic]

As a person who is always mindful of exposure, I've never thought twice about it and have hiked it many times! I agree with the others...it's a beautiful trail and the views of the Great Western Divide and beyond are phenomenal throughout!

[Wahiker9]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your responses are so helpful! This part of the trail is near the end of the trip and now I will not be stressing the whole time, but rather looking forward to the views!

[MountainMinstrel]

The trail itself is not scary but the less than an hour old Mountain Lion tracks I followed one morning after a rain were...and even more so when they left the trail going up the hill.