With the S.O.A.R. (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience) Program, reinforce your strengths and connect with others through monthly small group hikes and other outdoor adventures in the Seattle area. This program is for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia before age 65, alongside a family member or friend. Hikes are up to 3 miles, easy to moderate, and within 1 hour drive of Seattle. Optional van transportation available from Jefferson Community Center on Seattle's Beacon Hill, 3801 Beacon Ave S; participants can also meet at the trailhead. Space is limited and advance registration is required. A free program. The current season runs from July 2025 - June 2026. See program overview, hike schedule, and registration links below. Questions: Contact Marigrace Becker, mbecker1@uw.edu. 206-543-2440.
A program of the UW Memory & Brain Wellness Center, with hikes led by a Lifelong Recreation Specialist from Seattle Parks and Recreation. View program orientation PowerPoint here.
2025 - 2026 Flyer with Schedule!
Program FAQ
SOAR is open to people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia before age 65. Although 10% of people are diagnosed at a younger age, it can be easy to feel alone. SOAR aims to bring younger people together to build community, within a program that reinforces their strengths and abilities. If you were diagnosed after age 65, we can help point you toward other outdoor programs for people with memory loss, such as the Out & About walking program with Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Yes, the program is designed for pairs (a person with Alzheimer's alongside a family member or friend). This approach of everyone having a hiking buddy helps us safely offer a group program in the outdoors, with two staff people supporting the group.
The hikes vary in difficulty from easy to moderate. They are fairly flat, and vary in distance from 1 mile up to 3 miles. Please see the hike description links in the hike schedule below, or call us if you have particular questions about which will be the best fit for you.
No, you can pick and choose whichever hikes you would like to attend.
You have the choice to either take van transportation at 10 a.m. from Jefferson Community Center on Seattle's Beacon Hill (3801 Beacon Ave S), or to meet us at the hike location. Note that some hikes require a Discover Pass or Northwest Forest Pass to park at the trailhead. This is noted in the hike description below.
- Lunch, and snacks for the van ride
- Layers of clothing (dress for the weather)
- Water bottle
- Supportive walking shoes
- Sun hat or sunglasses if desired
- ID
- Cell phone
- Any personal items or medication that you need
- Discover Pass or Northwest Forest Pass (if required, and if parking at the trailhead. We will note this if needed).
- Sense of adventure!
Sign up for hikes by clicking on the registration links below. Space is limited and registration is required with deadline 2 days before each hike. Registration opens a few months before each hike date. (If you don't see a SIGN UP button, registration is not yet available)
2025 - 2026 Upcoming Hike Schedule
Note: We typically hike the 3rd Thursday of each month. Please note there is no hike in September, and instead we have two hikes in October.
Thurs 7/17/2025, Seward Park
10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at Seward Park at 10:15 a.m.
Seward Park boasts 300 acres of beautiful forest land, home to eagles' nests, old growth forest, a 2.4-mile bike and walking path, an amphitheater, a native plant garden, an art studio, miles of hiking trails, shoreline, beaches and more. Join us in completing the inner loop trail which averages about 2.2 miles on mostly flat, dirt paths, and is a wonderful escape into nature.
Thurs 8/21/2025, Lake Sammamish Beach Trail
10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at Lake Sammamish at 10:30 a.m.
Lake Sammamish State Park features paved trails and lake views. We will enjoy waterfront views on an out and back hike before picnicking together as a group at the beach. Total of 2-3 miles on flat terrain. Note: Discover Pass required if you are parking at the lake.
Thurs 10/16/2025, Luther Burbank Park
10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at Lake Sammamish at 10:20 a.m.
Luther Burbank Park in Mercer Island features three-quarters of a mile of Lake Washington waterfront. Explore with us as we try to spot a variety of wildlife, including 135 species of birds, 50 species of waterfowl, raccoons, beaver, muskrats, tree frogs, and rabbits. 2 miles on flat terrain.
Thurs 10/30/2025, Mercer Slough
10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at Lake Sammamish at 10:20 a.m.
The slough is Lake Washington’s largest remaining wetland, containing hundreds of plant species and an abundance of water resources. Weaving through boardwalks and soft-surface trails we will explore 2-3 miles of varying elevation. Note that it may be muddy if it has rained recently.
Thurs 11/20/2025, Carkeek Park, north Seattle
10 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at Carkeek Park at 10:40 a.m.
Piper's Creek, together with tributaries Venema and Mohlendorph Creeks, form one of Seattle's few salmon-bearing streams. Visitors can view chum salmon from mid-October to early December. Together we will explore a wooded trail of varying elevations for 2.5 to 3 miles, and hopefully enjoy spotting salmon.
Thurs 12/18/2025, Urban Loop: Ballard Locks to Discovery Park
10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at Ballard Locks at 10:30 a.m.
Parking at the Magnolia side of Ballard Locks, we will explore across the Magnolia timber bridge and enter Discovery Park on the east side. We will then complete the loop walking to the north end of Discovery Park returning to the Magnolia side of the Locks. 3 miles on sidewalks and dirt trail with varying elevation gain.
Thurs 1/15/2026, Downtown Waterfront: Elliot Bay, Myrtle Edwards, Olympic Sculpture Park
10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or at downtown Seattle waterfront at 10:30 a.m.
This walk will be a mixture of water and downtown views and exploration. Exploring Myrtle Edwards Park and checking out Olympic Sculpture Park as well as briefly exploring the downtown waterfront expansion. 3-3.5 miles on slightly inclined, paved terrain.
Thurs 2/19/2026, Lower Evans Creek Preserve, Redmond
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or at Evans Creek Preserve at 10:35 a.m.
Evans Creek Preserve has a mixture of wildflower meadows, wetlands, wildlife, and forested uplands. A variety of wildlife calls the Evans Creek Preserve home, including deer, black bears, hawks, songbirds, and beavers. We will complete Evans Creek Preserve Trail which is a dirt path and approximately 2 miles.
Upcoming Events
-
S.O.A.R (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience)
Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 10:00am
Join others with younger-onset Alzheimer's to reinforce your strengths through monthly small group hikes and other outdoor adventures in the Seattle area.
-
S.O.A.R (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience)
Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 10:00am
Join others with younger-onset Alzheimer's to reinforce your strengths through monthly small group hikes and other outdoor adventures in the Seattle area.
-
S.O.A.R (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience)
Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 10:00am
Join others with younger-onset Alzheimer's to reinforce your strengths through monthly small group hikes and other outdoor adventures in the Seattle area.
-
S.O.A.R (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience)
Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 10:00am
Join others with younger-onset Alzheimer's to reinforce your strengths through monthly small group hikes and other outdoor adventures in the Seattle area.
-
S.O.A.R (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience)
Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 10:00am
Join others with younger-onset Alzheimer's to reinforce your strengths through monthly small group hikes and other outdoor adventures in the Seattle area.
