I almost made it two decades living in the region without visiting the Zumwalt trails because of their prejudice anti-bike policies. Then, on a whim I took my running shoes out to Zumwalt Prairie to see what it was all about. This "trail" was a disaster. After having to drive through a few fence gates on some well-signed "no public" land, and driving through a herd of cattle blocking the road, I made it to what was marked as a trailhead, with little to no parking space. I proceeded to hike through the walk-in gate only to end up back on a road again. I searched everywhere for a trail but then saw signage indicating I was on the trail. It was apparent earlier that day someone had driven up the road, so I was wondering why I didn't just drive up. The trail is a road the entire way to the top, where you get a great view. I felt cheated though.
You basically hike up a draw on a road and then it tops out on the ridge where the road T's. There is one marker indicating you are on the trail, then after that you are completely left to your own devices. I guess they assume you'll see the view from the rim edge and turn back at some point. The view down the canyon to Imanaha is nice, and the Seven Devils are seen in the distance. It's basically the same view you keep getting throughout the Zumwalt from the road, but this one is slightly more dramatic.
It seems that the only thing they are preserving Zumwalt from are bikes, because most of the trails see a lot of cattle and what appears to be invasive weeds among the native grasses. There are so many fences and unwelcome signs around that it reminded me of my days living Texas. There is no doubt the land is beautiful but you're pretty confined and regulated trying to experience it.
