Then and Now: The Foothills Trail

When our communities were settled in the mid to late 1800s, settlers needed a way to transport the goods they farmed or mined to a market where they could be sold. Rail was the best way to transport goods and people throughout the region due to the muddy conditions created during the winter months. The few roads that existed during this time were impassable with heavily loaded wagons for most of the year.   Aside from farming, families in the area were also heavily involved in logging and mining coal and sandstone. 

The profitable coal and sandstone is what brought the Northern Pacific Railroad to the plateau and river valleys that we now call home. The first track was laid in 1877 and quickly became the best way for people to move from town to town as well. In 1885, the Northern Pacific Rail Road was contracted by the US Government to build the second cross continental railroad. The starting point for this project was just one mile east of South Prairie, known as Cascade Junction. 

 The early communities of Enumclaw, Buckley, Wilkeson, Carbonado, Orting and Sumner were all connected by rail for over 100 years. The busiest time for the railroads was from 1900-1925, when the communities began to incorporate and settlements became cities. The Burlington Northern Railway eventually abandoned the rail bed in 1982.

The connection between our communities was not lost, however. In 1984, a doctor from Buckley started the Foothills Trail Coalition. He used a national model for converting abandoned rail beds into trails for communities, commonly called “rails to trails,” to get the ball rolling. The idea that land already set aside for travel could be converted to fitness and nature trails was perfect for a region as beautiful and family oriented as ours. 

Over the past 30 years, the Foothills Trail has been paved piece by piece by the hard won victories of the volunteers at the Foothills Trail Coalition and both county and city employees. Once complete, the trail will have over 28 miles of paved trail. Efforts on connecting all of the cities with a 12 foot paved trail will continue with future plans to connect with the Inter Urban Trail in King County. The newest connection will be made between the Enumclaw and Buckley trails. Construction is set to start this June. 

The trail has become home to some of regions fastest growing races including the Rainier to Ruston Ultra and 50K as well as the Foothills Dash, which is sponsored by Pierce County Parks and Recreation.