Let's Hike HartsSpace (with a printable tracker)
Washington summers are ideal for getting outside.
Share some recent photos!
After the Cap Ciry Training we had a little break and now we are gearing up for a couple hikes together.
I built a training plan that you can use or modify.
I will be posting my weekly goals and encourage others to do the same.
You don't have to be hiking with us to join in the posting. Accountbaility helps all people......with all goals.
Lets stay healthy this summer.
Mt. Lena & Mt. Ellinor Training Plan
June 14 – October 25, 2026
Goal
Build gradually toward:
September 6: Lena Lake / Big Creek
October 25: Mt. Ellinor
Focus on:
Hiking endurance
Climbing fitness
Leg strength
Joint durability
Pack carrying
Confidence on sustained elevation gain
JUNE 14 – JULY 11
Foundation Phase
Weekly Mileage
8–12 total miles
Weekly Elevation
1,000–1,500 ft
Strength
2 days/week
Cardio
2 days/week
30–45 minutes Zone 2
Stairs/Stair Climber
1 day/week
20–30 minutes
Pack/Weight Vest
Optional
5–10 lbs
Suggested Hikes
Mima Mounds
Mashel Falls
Point Defiance
Nisqually Refuge
Strength Days
Day 1
Squats
Step-ups
Romanian Deadlifts
Calf Raises
Plank
Day 2
Lunges
Single-leg Step-ups
Farmer Carry
Core
JULY 12 – AUGUST 8
Endurance Phase
Weekly Mileage
10–15 miles
Weekly Elevation
1,500–2,000 ft
Strength
2 days/week
Cardio
2 days/week
40–50 minutes
Stairs/Stair Climber
30–40 minutes
Pack/Weight Vest
10 lbs
Suggested Hikes
Mount Walker
Little Si
Big Quilcene lower sections
AUGUST 9 – SEPTEMBER 5
Climbing Phase
Weekly Mileage
12–18 miles
Weekly Elevation
2,000–3,000 ft
Strength
2 days/week
Cardio
1–2 days/week
Stairs/Stair Climber
40–60 minutes
Pack
10–15 lbs
Suggested Hikes
Big Quilcene
Mount Walker
Little Si
Goal Before Lena
Complete:
One 7–8 mile hike
2,500–3,000 ft gain
SEPTEMBER 6
Lena Lake / Big Creek Group Hike
Meet:
Hoodsport Ranger Station
8:00 AM
Target Fitness:
6–8 miles
1,200–2,000 ft gain
Comfortable hiking for 3–5 hours
SEPTEMBER 7 – OCTOBER 24
Ellinor Build Phase
Weekly Mileage
12–20 miles
Weekly Elevation
3,000–4,000 ft
Strength
2 days/week
Cardio
1–2 days/week
Stairs/Stair Climber
45–60 minutes
Pack
15–20 lbs
Suggested Hikes
Big Quilcene
Mount Walker
Stair workouts
Local elevation repeats
Peak Training Goal
One workout equivalent to:
8–10 miles
3,000–4,000 ft gain
OCTOBER 25
Mt. Ellinor
Meet:
Hoodsport Ranger Station
Leave 7:30 AM
Approximate Route:
6+ miles
3,300+ ft gain
Steep and sustained climbing
Sample Weekly Schedule
Monday
Strength Training (45 min)
Tuesday
Cardio
Walk
Bike
Jog
30–45 min
Wednesday
Stairs or Stair Climber
20–60 min depending on phase
Thursday
Strength Training
Legs, core, balance
Friday
Recovery Walk
2–3 miles
Saturday
Long Hike
Sunday
Easy Recovery
Walk
Stretch
Mobility
Sauna
Weight Vest Progression
June
5 lbs
July
5–10 lbs
August
10 lbs
September
10–15 lbs
October
15 lbs max
Use the weight vest for:
Stairs
Neighborhood walks
Incline treadmill
Not for every hike and not for recovery days. This progression should prepare most hikers comfortably for Lena Lake while building enough climbing strength and endurance to successfully complete Mount Ellinor in October.
Can I get a printable of this? I cant seem to copy and paste from my phone