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 2024 - June 2025. 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. This program is made possible through support from the I'm Still Here Foundation. View program orientation PowerPoint here.
2024 - 2025 Flyer with Schedule!
Program FAQ
Who can participate?
- 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.
Do I have to come with a hiking partner?
- 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.
How challenging are the hikes?
- 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.
Do I have to sign up for all the hikes?
- No, you can pick and choose whichever hikes you would like to attend.
Is transportation provided?
- 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.
What should I bring on the hike?
- 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!
How do I sign up?
- 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)
2024 - 2025 Upcoming Hike Schedule
Thurs 2/20/25, Valley of the Gnomes, Madrona
10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at Madrona Park Beach location at 10:30 a.m.
From Madrona Beach, we’ll do a short but steep walk up through the neighborhood until we stumble across the Gnome’s Secret Pedestrian Trestle Bridge, where dozens are scattered along the hillside. Walk is a short 1.5 miles but features hills, steps, and a mix of sidewalk and dirt surfaces.
Thurs 3/20/25: Coal Creek Falls , Renton Washington
10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at hike location at 10:45 a.m.
Try this 2.6-mile out-and-back trail near Renton, Washington. Walk beneath a thick canopy of maple, alder, and cedar tress, and alongside salmonberry, ferns and numerous wildflowers, to this 28-foot waterfall destination. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 hour 22 min to complete.
Thurs 4/17/25: Meadowdale Beach Park (snohomishcountywa.gov) , Edmonds, WA
Enjoy a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 hour 8 min to complete. We will be walking down a large hill to reach the beach below.
This trail will take us from deep forest to open beach. Enjoy the lush, tall forest as we descend Lund's Gulch Creek. At the bottom we will travel under the train track out to the beach, where you can enjoy your sack lunch, with time to beach comb and enjoy the views of Puget Sound. The return hike is uphill. (1.25 miles down and 1.25 miles back up)
10 a.m – 3:00 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at hike location at 11 a.m.
Thurs 5/15/25, Snoqualmie Falls , Snoqualmie
10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with van ride from Seattle's Jefferson Community Center, or meet at hike location, upper falls viewpoint at 11:00 a.m.
Enjoy beautiful views of the iconic Snoqualmie Falls, total 1.4 miles. We will start at the upper falls viewing point and walk down to the lower viewpoint (0.7 miles). We will then return and walk back up to the upper falls. Note that the trail, while short, is quite steep, with 250 feet elevation gain on your way back up to the upper falls viewpoint.
Thurs 6/26/25, SOAR Retreat - Location TBD
10 a.m. - 3:00 pm
Enjoy a day retreat with other SOAR participants to include team building activities, lunch, nature walk and more.
Upcoming Events
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S.O.A.R (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience)
Thursday, May 15, 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.
