How long is the foothills trail

Drive Watch for a sign directing you to Whitewater Falls and turn right to the parking area. From the restroom area, go south on a spur trail to the Foothills Trails and turn right. I've only done sections, but want to thru-hike it soon work keeps getting in the way. I love this trail and the volunteers do a great job of keeping it maintained.

I hope to join them when I retire. Enjoyed a two day backpacking trip with my family - Chattooga River was incredibly beautiful - thank you to all the volunteers that maintain the trail! Foothills Trail Conference P. Box , Greenville, SC Email. Parks and Recreation Creating community through people, parks and programs. Visit a local or state park near you! One Way. Difficulty: Difficult.

Trail Features Key. Information Sign. 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 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. Prairie to Orting 7. 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. A few minutes and he suspected this was becoming a downhill grade. Check the GPS altimeter. Yes, it was slowly unwinding. 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.

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! We learn this is a mitigation wetland — a purpose-built swamp to atone for the sins of trail building. 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: N Keep descending the drainage of South Prairie Creek. There are sloughs and backwaters to the right and bits of active creek. A bit further you cross the highway on a bridge and find a nice wayside. Again: table, bench, BBQ. 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. One was a gift from wife to hubbie on the occasion of his 60th. At 7 miles you are in Orting and at the skate park, which is alongside the trail with a full view of Mt.

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. 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 TrailBear is turning around for the climb to S. 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 It's currently paved for 15 miles. Trail extensions are planned to be constructed by These will connect to existing trails at either end of the Foothills trail and bring the total mileage to about 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! 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. Log in Register. Search trails Close. Register Now. Foothills Trail Facts.

States: Washington. E Puyallup and SE th St. SE Enumclaw. Trail surfaces: Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel. Quick Links:. Submit Photo. Submit Review. One of several bridges on the trail. Mount Rainier up ahead. A view of the river from the trail. Submitted by zach. These kids can do things with a Razor. This section looks new.

This mile post won't rot. Now the trail runs alongside the river. This wayside has a BBQ. Anyone got charcoal? Trail end at S. Trailside Expresso's trailside wayside. Be prepared to beat feet. Orting and Mt. Water : Water is plentiful all along the trail from streams, rivers, and lakes, except in drought conditions. Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. For those planning to take their time, some local shuttle drivers offer food drops for a fee.

The trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small towns. The Foothills Trail is accessible, challenging, but not difficult, and logistically easy to hike. Hikers should plan ahead for shuttle transport. The heat and humidity can be intense from mid-May through September. Those hiking east-west will encounter the most challenging parts of the trail immediately, while those going from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park get a much easier introduction to the trail.

The Foothills Trail Conservancy has a detailed, informative website, including maps, elevations profiles, shuttle information and more. Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group. The Death Valley Four Springs Loop is an entirely off-trail loop that connects four different springs in the southern portion of the National Park.

A GPS Track, good navigation skills, and desert hiking experience are highly recommended on this route. It features frequent river crossings, soaring canyon views and potential for additional miles or side trips.

New Hampshire's Inner-Pemi Loop is located on old railroad beds from logging operations in the Pemigewasset Wilderness.