The main section of the Foothills Trail begins in East Puyallup ends in
the City of Buckley. There are two gaps in the trail between South
Prairie and Buckley, both unfinished sections will be constructed by the
end of 2017.
South Prairie to Buckley
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.
Phase 1 construction
began on June 15, 2008, by adding another mile section of the trail from
South Prairie that includes 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.
Phase 2 Construction Project, completed in 2017, involved paving an existing section of trail, just south of Buckley, bringing the Foothills Trail closer to completing the connection with South Prairie. This Foothills Trail section provides the safety of a separated non-motorized corridor as it parallels two very busy state highways with minimal shoulders. It also enhances the aesthetic aspects of the non-motorized travel experience as it gradually climbs from the Orting Valley through forests, along a stream corridor, and next to wetlands to the Cascade Foothills in Buckley.
The last phase of trail construction between Buckley and South Prairie, Phase 3, was completed at the end of 2017.
The South Prairie Trailhead
The South Prairie Trail trailhead will have parking for 20 vehicles, plus an information kiosk and a sani-can enclosure. This section of the Foothills Trail will eventually link with the towns of Buckley to the east and Orting to the west.
Parking and Trail Access
To reach the South Prairie trailhead, from the intersection of SR 167 and SR 410 near Sumner, follow SR 410 east. After 5.7 miles, turn right onto S. Prairie Road E. In 4.1 miles, turn right onto Pioneer Way E and look for the South Prairie trailhead sign.
This
section of the Foothills Trail is a 150 foot span across South Prairie
Creek about one mile east of South Prairie. The original railroad
trestle in this location was removed in 1983. This new bridge was made
possible by the combined resources of several different agencies. The
Foothills Rails-to-Trail Coalition purchased and fabricated most of the
necessary materials.
How can we help?
Pierce County wants to hear from you. Please select one of the following to talk to elected officials and staff, or to report problems in our community.