THE ORGANIZATION
PasstoPass provides multi-day supported backpacking trips for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Trips are planned and led by people with Parkinson’s or close connections to PD so that routes, trails, and distances are selected with the physical challenges of participants in mind. The key is support. Support hikers help on the trails and in camp. Pack llamas carry gear so that Parkinson’s hikers only have to carry a light day pack. The support helps people with PD have a positive hiking experience.
As a nonprofit, volunteer organization, PasstoPass does it all on a shoestring led by people with Parkinson’s. PasstoPass pays for the llamas, shared community gear, emergency satellite communications, wilderness First Aid training, insurance and operating expenses. 100% of PasstoPass’ income comes from donations.
The benefits of PasstoPass hikes are both mental and physical. Studies have proven that vigorous exercise improves Parkinson’s symptoms and may slow progression of the disease. Support provided on PasstoPass trips helps hikers overcome the challenges of PD, boosting their morale and confidence. The shared experiences create deep bonds and lasting friendship between hikers.
Although Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, PasstoPass trips allow people with PD to live in the moment, to experience exhilarating physical activity, to challenge themselves, to celebrate success, to hope and to experience the joy of being outdoors.
It’s Here! The 2026 Trip Schedule.
Featuring hikes in Washington, Oregon, California, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, Utah and Montana.
Our trips are planned and led by experienced hikers who have Parkinson’s or are close to someone who does. Most PasstoPass trips are up to six days long and take place along sections of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington State, as well as the John Muir Trail in California. Support hikers provide assistance on the trail and pack llamas carry gear, so PD hikers only need to carry a light day pack on most hikes. Please read our 2026 hike details and the FAQs about what to expect on the hikes for 2026.
Please use the CONTACT PAGE to start the application process to join us on a hike. start the application process.
2026 Schedule: Looking forward to an exciting year!
Trip 1 – WA 7/27-8/1 2026 White Pass to Chinook Pass Moderate Difficult – Llamas
Trip 2 – WA 8/1-6 2026 Chinook Pass to White Pass- Less Difficult – Llamas
Trip 3 – WA 8/7-12 2026 White Pass to Chinook Pass Moderate Difficult – Llamas
Trip 4 – WA 8/13-18 2026 Walupt Lake to Berry Patch- Moderate Difficult – Llamas
Trip 5 – WA 8/19-24 2026 Walupt Lake to Berry Patch- Moderate Difficult – Llamas
Trip 6 – WA 8/7-12 2026 WA Spider Meadows Very Difficult – Full Packs
Trip 7 – WA 8/25-27 2026 Mt. Rainier/Longmire Lodge Least Difficult – day hikes, lodge overnight
Trip 8 – WA 8/28-9/1 2026 Pete Lake Basecamp- Less Difficult– Basecamp dayhikes – Llamas
Trip 9 – WA 8/31-9/4 2026 Pete Lake Basecamp- Less Difficult– Basecamp dayhikes – Llamas
Trip 10 – OR 8/9-15 2026 Devils Lake to Lava Camp – Moderate Difficult– Llamas
Trip 11 – OR 8/23-29 2026 Strawberry Basin Loop – Difficult – Llamas
Trip 12 – CA 2/23-25 2026 Joshua Tree – Least Difficult – day hikes, car camp overnight
Trip 13 – CA Dates TBD Summer 2026 John Muir Trail – Most Difficult – Full Packs- pending permit
Trip 14 – MT 7/30-8/4 2026 Tamarack Lake Loop – Difficult – Llamas
Trip 15 – MT 8/5-10 2026 Tamarack Lake Loop – Difficult – Llamas
Trip 16 – NH 9/16-18 2026 – Joe Dodge Lodge – Least Difficult – day hikes, lodge overnight
Trip 17 – NY 10/30-11/1 2026 – Finger Lakes – Least Difficult – day hikes, B&B overnight
Trip 18 – VA 9/25-27 (pending reservation) 2026 -Big Meadows Lodge – Least Difficult – day hikes, lodge/car camp overnight
Trip 19– WA Dates TBD Fall 2026- Methow Valley- Least Difficult- wheelchair/ walker accessible day hikes, lodge overnight
Trip 20– UT 9/7-11 2026 – Christmas Meadows- Uinta Mountains area Basecamp- Moderate Difficult- Llamas
BUILD. CULTIVATE. NOURISH.
Seeing people overcome and exceed physical challenges is inspirational. To watch people work together to accomplish what they could not do alone is awesome. And to witness it all in the breathtaking beauty of the Mountains is truly extraordinary!
TRIPS
PARKINSON'S HIKERS
SUPPORT HIKERS
CUMULATIVE MILES HIKED
PLUS AMERICANS LIVE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE
OUR STORY
PasstoPass was founded by Bill Meyer, whose love affair with the wilderness spans half a century. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2009, Bill was determined to keep hiking. As the disease progressed, his tremors and balance got worse. Hiking became increasingly difficult, especially carrying a heavy backpack over his Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) batteries. Bill had seen pack mules on the Pacific Crest Trail and thought they could be the answer. But if he used mules, he needed people to help. So Bill reached out the NW Parkinson’s Foundation looking for other hikers he could enlist. He found Ken Kisch, a fellow hiker with Parkinson’s and PasstoPass was born.
The first PasstoPass trip set off on August 20, 2016. Four hikers with Parkinson’s, a support team of seven and six pack mules hiked nearly 75 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail in 9 days. Their goal was to raise money for Parkinson’s research, increase awareness of the disease and to prove that physical activity can relieve Parkinson’s symptoms. The trip was a success so planning began for another PassToPass hike in 2017.
PasstoPass has grown and adapted based on lessons learned. Pack llamas replaced mules, trips were shortened, more hikers signed up and PasstoPass became a non-profit.
SARAH
EITZMAN
Mountain View, CA Parkinson’s Hiker
Ten years ago, my world changed when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Suddenly, at 53 years of age, my active lifestyle seemed like a distant dream. In high school and college, I was an avid backpacker and hiker, but my busy life as a mother and pediatrician had delayed some of my planned trips. When Parkinson’s entered my life, those trips became overshadowed by uncertainty and limitations….. more>
MIKE
SMYSER
Seattle, WA Parkinson’s Hiker
I grew up in the Puget Sound region and for the past 50+ years I’ve been hooked on being in the wilderness. It has always been a magical and tremendous experience filling me with awe and energy.
Thirteen years ago, however, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). At times, it’s a huge task to perform the most mundane things, such as getting food on a fork and putting it into my mouth. And then there are the agonizing toe-curling foot cramps .. more>
TAMARA
BARRY
Hanover, New Hampshire Parkinson’s Hiker
When I was 45 years old, I noticed that my right hand a tremor. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I knew what the possible diagnosis was. By age 60, the symptoms of PD progressed enough that I needed to begin treatment. The silver lining was that exercise has been shown to slow the progression! … more>
CampTime roll-o-chairs gift
We use these 4-legged folding camp chairs with a back that are 17" high at camp. PD hikers appreciate the stability and support they provide. The factory is in Spokane, so last Friday Bill stopped by and was gifted 18 chairs for PasstoPass hikes. They had a couple of...
PasstoPass featured on KSPS Northwest Profiles
Producer Todd Anderson joined Trip 4 this past July at Priest Lake in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest to learn more about PasstoPass. You may view his piece with Northwest Profiles at: https://www.pbs.org/video/november-2025-meewxl You may also scan the...
PCT magazine article
Chris Rylee, PCTA Director of Communications joined PasstoPass at the trailhead to participate in the start of Trip 8 last September. He has shared this story in the Fall/Winter PCT Communicator magazine for PTA members and we are sharing it here.
