My wife and I rode most of the Foothills trail yesterday. The northern starting point is at Meeker near Puyallup but we thought that first stretch looked too urban and too close to busy Highway 162 so skipped that part. We started biking at the McMillin trail head, 4 miles to the south. Plentiful parking and a restroom. It looks very secure because of the nearby traffic and a lot of bikers coming and going all day. The 3 mile ride to Orting is level and went fast. It's "so so" because it's in residential areas and near Highway 162, but still worthwhile. Entering Orting we were pleased to find an espresso stand where we used their picnic table. Next door is a McDonalds. In town there is a bike shop on the right. After passing the long city park (rest rooms) there is another trail head. As you leave Orting the view of Mt. Rainier ahead is outstanding. Soon you leave the highway noise and the trail is a delight all the way to South Prairie (about 7 miles). At times it is along the Carbon River, often in nice woods, through nice farmlands and later along South Prairie Creek. There are several benches and a couple of picnic tables along the way. As you enter South Prairie there is an espresso stand. The trail ends at a park in South Prairie with picnic tables and restrooms. It is gentle uphill from Orting to South Prairie so it's best to do it in this direction and enjoy the easier riding back to Orting going downhill. There were a lot of other bikers out, also many locals walking and skating.

I would rate the ride from McMillin to Orting as a 5 and from Orting to South Prairie as a 9. I consider the Puyallup to McMillan stretch as optional if you want the exercise--it looked like a 4 to me, because I like nature not civilization.

Keith Gunnar
Langley, WA

TRAILBEAR GOES DOWNHILL: Foothills Trail – S. Prairie to Orting

7.29.10

TrailBear got it backwards – which is not uncommon. He should have parked at the Orting City Park trailhead and headed up to South Prairie, then descended on the second leg of the ride. Do your uphill leg first.

But, no: He came in from Buckley, parked at the South Prairie trailhead and headed to Orting. A few minutes and he suspected this was becoming a downhill grade. Check the GPS altimeter. Yes, it was slowly unwinding. Given the speed, he figured it at a 3% grade.

Whatever; it was a scenic ride. Probably the best part of the Foothills Trail, which is why he was doing it. From Orting up to Puyallup you get to ride along the highway, past sub divisions, through fields, etc. Rather a yawn, but flat. You get miles but the ambiance is lacking.

The Orting – S. Prairie leg is much more scenic. The first section is Leaving S.P. – backyards, front yards, fields. Then you get into the woods and leave the highway over yonder. Some farms and pastures, but mostly shady woods with some memorial benches. There is civilization on both sides, but you are in a band of forest along the right of way.

At 3 miles out you reach the REI Wayside. Here is a bench, a table, an info sign and (wonders!) a BBQ. We learn this is a mitigation wetland – a purpose-built swamp to atone for the sins of trail building. That’s nice. It does look wet. TB can figure everything but the BBQ. He is trying to visualize bikies or hikers toting the charcoal, steaks and ice chest down to have a cookout at the swamp. GE: N47.11474 W122.13448.

Keep descending the drainage of South Prairie Creek. There are sloughs and backwaters to the right and bits of active creek. At 4.3 miles down you cross the Carbon River. A bit further you cross the highway on a bridge and find a nice wayside. Again: table, bench, BBQ. It’s rather nice. GE: N47.09576 W122.15496.

At 5.7 miles you leave the woods and run along the bank of the Carbon River. Think of this stretch as Memorial Reach. There are numerous memorial benches along the river. That seems a better idea than paying for some plot in a graveyard. Get cremated and invest in a bench that does some public good. Wonder what they cost. You don’t have to be dead. One was a gift from wife to hubbie on the occasion of his 60th. GE: N47.08699 W122.17544.

At 7 miles you are in Orting and at the skate park, which is alongside the trail with a full view of Mt. Rainer. Those kids are doing amazing things on their Razors. TrailBear pauses to admire their agility. Look for them in the X Games in ten years. As there is parking here, you can use the skate park as trailhead. GE: N47.09025 W122.19279.

At 7.4 miles you have arrived. You are in the middle of the Orting City Park, formerly the Orting Depot in the RR Days. The info sign laments the passing of the three transcontinental trains a day, plus one to Spokane which once came through Orting – and, of course, the more numerous log trains.

The park runs for over two blocks along the main drag and has parking, restrooms, water, info kiosk, tot lot, shade, basketball court, a large covered BBQ facility and more. The newest addition – Orting Station – is a large hall for the farmers’ markets and such. GE: N47.09663 W122.20325.

From here you can go onward to the McMillian Trailhead and up to the Puyallup Trailhead. The TrailBear is turning around for the climb to S. Prairie. The total descent was 220’ – sez the GPS. The climb starts beyond the Carbon River and seems to be 3% with a few bits of 4% grade. Healthy outdoor exercise.

Ride on!

TrailBear
Getting healthy uphill exercise.

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