‘Crucial’ undeveloped Pierce County trail will become 3.5 miles for bikers, pedestrians

Pierce County is a step closer to providing locals in Wilkeson and Carbonado with a safer trail for walking, jogging or cycling.

Pierce County Parks and the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition are recipients of the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (NPS-RTCA) grant program, according to a July 8 news release from Pierce County.

The Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition is a nonprofit organization that works to “expand, fund, maintain, promote and advocate for an accessible and inclusive trail system from Mount Rainier National Park to Puget Sound,” according to the news release.

The NPS-RTCA grant program supports and assists with local conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the country. The program does not provide financial help or monetary grants. It will give the county and coalition a team to work with.

County planner supervisor Tiffany Odell said the team will help with public engagement and pre-design work for an undeveloped 3.5-mile trail between Wilkeson and Carbonado.

The Carbon Glacier Corridor, which encompasses Wilkeson and Carbonado, offers a gateway to the northwest area of Mount Rainier National Park, according to the news release.

Community outreach efforts will begin in September and last for a year, according to the news release. Coalition executive director Shayla Miles said they hope to get input from the community about the type of surface they want for the trail, among other things.

When the trail is developed, it will give locals another option for active transportation. Miles said the only path connecting Wilkeson and Carbonado now is the highway. Having the trail is “really crucial” for the community’s health and safety, she said.

Odell said the goal is to start design and permitting work for the 3.5-mile trail by 2026. Funding and construction dates have yet to be determined.

Odell said around 2028-29 is the soonest residents can expect to use the new trail, if it’s fully funded. She said she does not have a clear answer because decisions about the project will not be made until the end of 2025.

The goal in the future is to connect the 3.5-mile trail up to the Foothills Trail in South Prairie and down to Mount Rainier National Park, Odell said. It is unknown when that will happen, she said.

The Foothills Trail is 21 miles long and is popular among bicyclists, joggers and walkers. It goes through Puyallup, Orting, South Prairie and Buckley.

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