Say Hello to our New Board Members!

We are thrilled to welcome Tim O’Brien and Alex Juchems to the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition Board, following their election at our January board meeting.

Tim O’Brien
Tim is a retired business professional and President of the Enumclaw Plateau Community Association, where he works on local trails, land use, and forest restoration. He’s passionate about expanding the trail network for both recreation and transportation.

Alex Juchems
A resident of Bonney Lake, Alex is deeply committed to native habitat restoration and community wellness. As a long-time supporter of Rails to Trails, he’s dedicated to preserving trails as vital habitats and resources for future generations.

We are excited to have them on board and look forward to the contributions they’ll make to our work!

Trail Update: Orting Detour – Emergency Evacuation Bridge Project

If you’ve been on the Foothills Trail through Orting recently, you may have noticed a temporary detour near Bridge Street. The City of Orting is currently constructing an Emergency Evacuation Bridge over the Carbon River, a critical safety project designed to provide residents with a reliable escape route in case of flooding or lahar events.

To accommodate trail users during construction, the contractor is excavating a 10-foot dedicated trail within the right-of-way along Old Pioneer Way. This ensures a safe and accessible detour route while work continues on the bridge. The project is expected to continue through spring 2026.

Recently, Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition and ForeverGreen Trails toured the detour route to ensure that it meets the needs of trail users. We appreciate the City of Orting’s efforts in coordinating this solution and ensuring a smooth alternative during construction.

More details are available here.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to keep the Foothills Trail safe, connected, and accessible for all!