TrailLink :: Foothills Trail

Foothills Trail:
Washington

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Description:

The Foothills Trail is a 12-foot wide non-motorized asphalt trail and linear park suitable for bicycles, walking, in-line skates and wheel chairs. It also has a soft shoulder path for equestrians. Completed paved sections include 15 miles from Meeker through Orting to So. Prairie. There is also a 1-mile section in Wilkeson and a 1.8 mile section in Buckley. Our future plan is to continue the trail to Puyallup and Sumner where it will connect with the Interurban Trail that now extends through Kent and Auburn to Seattle. The trail in Buckley will continue north to Enumclaw and King County. The Foothills Trail has been constructed in sections as finances, environmental permits and county ownership have allowed. When complete, the trail will be more than 28 miles in length, forming the backbone of a 50-mile trail from Mt. Rainier to Tacoma.

Burlington Northern Railway abandoned the railbed in 1982. The rail-trail effort started in 1984 when Dr. Tate, a Buckley physician and a community visionary, organized the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition to assist Pierce County Parks in building the trail. Despite roadblocks, construction of the trail is ongoing and thousands of users are already enjoying its benefits. Development of the Foothills Trail would not have been possible without the partnership of the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition and its members who have provided countless volunteer hours, fundraising efforts, and advocacy for non-motorized transportation in Pierce County. For further information on the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition please call (253)841-2570 or visit the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition website.

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Parking & Trail Access:

McMillin and Orting trailheads: From State Highway 167 and/or 512 take the State Highway 410 exit, then take the Orting/Sumner exit which is Route 162. Turn right towards Orting. The McMillin trailhead is on the right directly after the cement bridge at the confluence of the Puyallup and Carbon Rivers. The Orting trailhead is 2.2 miles further on the right located in Orting City Park. From the McMillin trailhead there is an approximate 7-mile stretch southward which is paved, with an additional amount cleared for some level of use. This portion goes through the Town of Orting. The 26 mile Foothills Trail goes from this locaton to Buckley (not all of the trail is paved). Buckley Traihead: From State Highway 167 and/or 512 take the State Highway 410 exit. Take the Park Avenue exit and turn right heading east. Turn at the first left onto North River Avenue. Go straight to the National Guard parking. The trailhead is a paved section through the town of Buckley and north about 1 mile beyond Ryan Road.

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Reviews:

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Foothills

By Pam Knight on October 30, 2007

Wonderful trail linking communities and making it a truly viable commuters option. Now if the whole nation could be connected...

Trail Update

By Tom Enlow on August 14, 2006

"The trail now begins in East Puyallup, continuing through Orting to South Prairie. It's currently paved for 15 miles. Trail extensions are planned to be constructed by 2008. These will connect to existing trails at either end of the Foothills trail and bring the total mileage to about 22.

The ultimate goal is for a 50 mile trail from Mount Rainier to Commencement Bay in Tacoma, with connections to other trails.

It's a great walk, bike ride, or horseback ride alongside several rivers and creeks - at railroad grade!

"

Great Trail for the Whole Family

By Scott West on May 08, 2005

"This is a great bike trail from right outside of Orting straight through to South Prairie. Paved the entire distance and a gentle grade make it an easy and enjoyable trip for all ages. If you start at the head of the trail, prepare to do some stop and go for about the first four miles. Once you pass Orting Park the stops end accept for a few farm access roads. The trail meanders next to the river for about four miles and then branches off to farmland. A rolling stream meets you to your left on many occasions and REI has created a nice picnic area next to a recreated wetland. When you reach South Prairie you will find a service station and a great park next to the stream with a playground, stop and have some lunch.

One of the nice aspects of this trail is that the trail volunteers bike up and down the trail on weekends, so, if you have any problems, within an hour someone will be by to give you a hand. We thought this was fantastic. "

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Trail Facts

Trail End Points: Buckley to Puyallup
Counties: Pierce
Trail Length: 28 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Ballast, Dirt
Trail Activities: Walk, Horseback, Bicycle, Inline Skates, Fishing, Wheelchair