Zumwalt-Buckhorn: Spectacular views

The route meanders between Bailey and Findley buttes and through the 33,000-acre Zumwalt Prairie Preserve and the east county ranchland.

The drive to Buckhorn begins about three miles east of Enterprise where motorists are directed to turn left at the Eggleson Corner and to follow the Buckhorn Lookout signs approximately 35 miles from the Highway 82 turnoff. 

At Eggleson Corner, follow Crow Creek Road to Zumwalt Road. After about two miles on Zumwalt Road, the surface turns to gravel.

Take a right onto Trail Creek Road and drop down into Imnaha about 30 miles from Joseph or continue along the loop to Buckhorn Lookout, which offers a magnificent view of the Imnaha Canyon. The overlook sits at 5,200-feet elevation and viewers look down upon the Cow, Horse and Lightning Creek drainages to the Imnaha River at the 800-foot elevation.

There are several side trips along the route, including Indian Village, on Road 8809, where the Nez Perce Indians camped. The Steen ranch is nearby at the edge of the timber on Road 880 and is identified by a small concrete marker.

Back on the loop, motorists continue west 43 miles through Chesnimnus country and come out on Highway 3 north of Enterprise. The entire drive takes about 3 1/2 hours.

Both the Indian Village and Buckhorn Lookout are part of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.