Our History
Prior to 1830
The valleys of the White and Carbon Rivers (originating at Mount Rainier), serve to house countless indigenous villages. Trails are developed for hunting, trading, fishing and transportation.
1830 - 1864
Age of Colonization
American and European settlers begin to establish small communities in the river valleys, further enhancing the trail system. The region develops around agriculture and fur trade.
1830 - 1864
1864 - 1877
Coal & Railroads
Coal is discovered in the Carbon River Valley, near the town of Wilkeson. Mines are developed, and a spur of the Northern Pacific Railroad is completed from Wilkeson to Tacoma.
1877 - 1900’s
Boom Times
The communities of the Carbon River Valley are booming, and roughly 65,000 residents live in the various towns along the river. The railroad moves timber to Commencement Bay mills, and move tourists from Tacoma to the newly established National Park at Mount Rainier.
1877 - 1900’s
1900’s - 1982
Decline of the Railroads
As coal mining in the area declines, the traffic on the railway fades. Many communities along the river vanish becoming “ghost towns,” and Burlington Northern Railroad abandons the rail bed in 1982.
1984
A Coalition is Born
The Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition is formed to advocate for the construction of a Pierce County park along the abandoned rail bed. Efforts begin to procure rights to the land to begin development of the trail.
1984
Present
The Work Continues
With nearly 22 miles of completed paved sections from the Meeker (East Puyallup) Trailhead to the north edge of Buckley, the Foothills Coalition continues our mission to expand the Foothills trails for all of our communities.