The Foothills Rails to Trails Coalition is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to assist Pierce County communities in the creation, maintenance and
usage of a connected system of non-motorized trails for healthier
people from Mt. Rainier to Puget Sound.
Welcome to the Foothills Trail
CONCERNING 268th Avenue East off SR 162 between Lower Burnett Road East and Mundy Loss Road East:
IMPORTANT NOTE TO TRAIL USERS. There is no trailhead, no public trail access, no trail parking or no trail pick-ups on 268th Avenue East. THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY and a PRIVATE ROAD FOR THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS ONLY!!
PLEASE, NO TRESPASSING OR USING THIS PRIVATE ROAD.
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THE BEAUTIFUL FOUR BRIDGES SECTION IS COMPLETE by Russ Matthews
The contractors have completed paving a section of the trail between Buckley and South Prairie.The section has four bridges and runs adjacent to a large wetland area.The only public access is from the South end of the Buckley paved section of the Foothills Trail along Highway 165.There is parking available in this area.You will be walking through an undeveloped portion of the trail before you arrive at the newly paved section.Our work parties have kept this undeveloped portion clear.If you mountain bike the area you will need to walk your bike through several muddy stretches.It is approximately one and one half miles until you reach the paved section.
The newly paved section begins as you cross 268th Ave. Court East.This is a private access road for the homes in this development and is posted as a tow away zone. Please respect the home owners and do not park in this area as your car will be towed.
The first bridge you come to was built in 1999.As you continue downhill the next bridge crosses Spiketon Creek and was built in 2008.Continuing on you will next come to a bridge over South Prairie Creek that was completed in 2009.This bridge, with its spectacular curves and arches and its location on the site of the original railway bridge, is the highlight of this section of the trail. This bridge was designed by Don Pederson of Pierce County Public Works. The next point of interest is the large wetland to the south of the trail.Stop and take time to look for birds in this area. Our plans are to build a rest stop wildlife viewing area along this section.
As you leave the wetland area be sure to notice the large culvert under the trail.This was built several years ago to allow salmon from South Prairie Creek to enter the wetland. If you have some time to spend you may be lucky enough to spot the beavers that are at work in this area.
You will next come to a bridge that was built in 2001 over South Prairie Creek.Funds from the Foothills Rails to Trails Coalition helped pay for the material for this bridge.
You have now reached the end of currently owned county property.We eagerly wait for the completion of the connection of this section of the trail to South Prairie and Buckley.
