Distance: Approximately 4 miles
Located: 13810 80th Street in East Puyallup (edge of VanLierop Bulb Farm)

This four miles of trail winds through trees and farms and runs alongside an active railway. It's a wonderful alternative to riding SR 162! This extends our trail to 15 contiguous miles from Meeker through McMillin and Orting to South Prairie, or a tremendous 30 mile roundtrip!

This is also Pierce County's first Rails-With-Trail, paralleling an active Burlington Northern track. The Trail crosses the railroad track in four locations. Use extra care when crossing the track. From early spring through late fall, you can observe the farming cycle of spring planting through a variety of harvest seasons.

The trailheads at McMillin and South Prairie along with the new East Puyallup location are designed to look like miniature train stations.

Distance: 3 miles

The McMillin Trailhead is a popular starting spot for bikers, skaters and stroller pushers. Most of this 2.3 mile section is parallel is SR 162.

This was the original 'Model Mile' of the trail and many consider it the most scenic part of the trail as it runs through Orting.

There is sufficient parking available along the where there are restrooms, an information kiosk, and a children's play area.

Orting to South Prairie - Rivers and Bridges
Distance: 7 miles

This diverse section of trail at almost 11 miles is the longest section of the Foothills route. There are 3 rest stops and all of them have been through private gifts. This section includes a cattle farm and a buffalo ranch but the real feature is the Carbon River, South Prairie Creek, and the railroad trestles crossing them.

The trail also crosses Voights Creek and Roush Creek that are both salmon bearing streams. There are 8 bridges on this section, four of them are former railroad trestles that were converted for trail use.

Take a break at the Carbon River at 'Bernie's Place' where there is a bench and a picnic table named for the late Bernie Dixon, a long-time Rails-to-Trails member.

In September of 2004, an additional 18,000 linear feet of paved trail surface began that connects to the existing trail at the Wetland Bridge and the existing trail within the town limits of South Prairie. Trail users will then be able to walk, ride, or skate down a continuous 11 mile section from McMillin to the fire station in South Prairie. The trailhead there has restrooms, information signs and ample parking.

Distance: Approximately 5.2 miles

This trail section extends from South Prairie Creek in the Town of South Prairie to Buckley. The main stem now stops at South Prairie, about three miles short of its planned end point on the edge of Buckley. When complete of the trail will extend from Puyallup to the long awaited connection to the Town of Buckley.

June 15, 2008 we began construction on Phase 1 by adding another mile section of the trail from South Prairie that will include two pedestrian bridges. The bridges will cross South Prairie Creek and Lower Burnett road and will carry the bike path from South Prairie to Buckley.

Pierce County Parks is currently working to secure trail grant monies from the state to build Phase 2, the next 1.3 mile section of trail. Phase 2 will connect the current trail just south of the Town of Buckley to the South Prairie Phase 1 trail section. Construction of Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in 2010.

A third phase will connect the trail from the Town of Buckley to the current trail end in the Town of South Prairie at South Prairie creek is also planned for construction in 2010.

Distance: 3 miles

'If you are looking to have a section of the Foothills Trail all to yourself, your best bet is parking by the Wilkeson Fire Department and hiking to Carbonado. The trail is unpaved and secluded. The trail is in good shape and easily handled on a mountain bike.' Construction of the trail south to Wilkeson and Carbonado is scheduled for 2006.

Distance: 1.8 miles

This trailhead is a paved section through the town of Buckley and north about 1 mile beyond Ryan Road. This section runs from about a mile into the woods southwest of town along state Route 410 to the northern edge of town. By 2006, the Trial is expected to connect South Prairie into Buckley, which already has a 1-1/2 mile of asphalt trail.

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.