Orting to South Prairie

Orting to South Prairie - Rivers & Bridges

  • Location: Orting Trailhead is located within Orting City Park
    (in the downtown area, right off of the main street through Orting)
  • Map
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This diverse section of trail at almost 11 miles is the longest section of the Foothills route. There are three 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, both of which are salmon bearing streams. There are eight bridges on this section, four of them are former railroad trestles that were converted for trail use. Along the Trail, three res stops have been provided through private gifts. 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. This addition connects to the existing trail at the Wetland Bridge and the existing trail within the town limits of South Prairie. Trail users will 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. 


REI Rest Stop

From Orting, travel 3.3 miles to the REI Rest Stop, which has a picnic table and grill adjacent to a 3.5-acre wetland. This rest stop, dedicated in November of 2004, links to previously completed sections, providing 11 miles of continuous paved trail between McMillin and South Prairie.

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