Hike for Recovery 2025

ETS supporter Maureen Oscadel reflects on her experience at our first-ever Hike for Recovery in September. Read on for Maureen’s takeaways.

On September 6, 2025, I joined Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS) for their Hike for Recovery at Squak Mountain in Issaquah, WA—a cause that immediately resonated with me when I saw it promoted on LinkedIn.

As a Registered Nurse, I’ve seen the impact ETS has had firsthand through the patients I’ve supported and the colleagues I’ve worked with. Although I haven’t worked directly for ETS, I’ve collaborated with their programs—like REACH—which have been vital partners in substance use disorder treatment, harm reduction, and other healthcare interventions. The Hike for Recovery felt like the perfect way to merge my professional commitment with my personal love for the outdoors.

A person in a blue sweatshirt points at a trail sign. They are holding the leash to a small gray dog.

A close up image of someone pointing at a map that reads "Hike for Recovery" and describes the different route options.

I set an initial fundraising goal of $500 and was thrilled to reach it in under a week. Inspired by the generosity of my friends and family, I decided to up the stakes: for every additional donation I received, I would hike one mile. That challenge helped me raise even more in the weeks leading up to the event, ultimately reaching $850 from 11 donors by the morning of the event.

On the morning of the hike, I set out with my husband and our dog, Poppy, under cloudy skies. A couple of miles in, we had a startling encounter with a large black bear on the trail. Thankfully, it slipped quietly into the forest, uninterested in us. Around that time, we also met up with another hiker—an ETS staff member who works with the REACH program—and hiked together for a couple of miles.

A child holds up a stick above their head, standing next to a sign that reads "registration."

At Central Peak, my husband and dog turned back and I continued solo—only four miles in and with more ground to cover. The remaining miles took me through parts of Squak Mountain, still hard hit by last year’s Bomb Cyclone. Navigating fallen trees and restored trails while the sun broke through the clouds was a powerful reminder of the resilience and beauty that can emerge after hardship. Over the course of the day, I experienced sun, rain, and clouds, and ultimately hiked 11.78 miles.

Four people pose for a picture on the trail, smiling.

Would I do it again next year? Absolutely. The experience was deeply meaningful—not just because of the hike itself, but because of the community support and the opportunity to raise awareness in a way that felt personal and purposeful. I’m looking forward to the next chance to lace up my trail runners, hit the trail, and walk alongside ETS in support of their important mission.