Approach to The Book at Lumpy

Has anyone done a GPS track of the approach to the Book at Lumpy? Would love to know the mileage and elevation gain. 

L Kap wrote: Has anyone done a GPS track of the approach to the Book at Lumpy? Would love to know the mileage and elevation gain. 

Since they put in the new parking lot you should expect about 30 minutes extra approach time if you are hiking casual. 

Unless you are bombing back to Sundance, it is still a nice approach. Just enough to get warmed up, but not so much you need to take a break.

I have through endomondo. I have 1100 ft of elevation gain and 2.1 miles one way

* elevation gain is both ways, ~900ft one way, there is ~200ft of elevation drop

Dennis Shaver wrote: I have through endomondo. I have 1100 ft of elevation gain and 2.1 miles one way

1100ft from valley floor to the top of the Book or to the base of it?

Fehim Hasecic wrote:

1100ft from valley floor to the top of the Book or to the base of it?

I have trail head at 7900ft and base at 8600 ft, the 1100ft is the total elevation gain out and back

There is a small climb and large drop in between the new parking lot and the old one of several hundred vertical feet. The tramp back to the car now involves a hot climb out. There is a nice boulder you can stop at and project if you want.

L Kap wrote: Has anyone done a GPS track of the approach to the Book at Lumpy? Would love to know the mileage and elevation gain. 

Lumpy Loop

This has the info, but it can't convey all of the nuances. Nice walk.

Buck Rio wrote:

Lumpy Loop

This has the info, but it can't convey all of the nuances. Nice walk.

Thanks but this is is a much larger loop trail around Lumpy Ridge and does not include the spur trail access to the Book. Am I missing a map or something that you're referring to? 

Buck Rio wrote:

Since they put in the new parking lot you should expect about 30 minutes extra approach time if you are hiking casual. 

Unless you are bombing back to Sundance, it is still a nice approach. Just enough to get warmed up, but not so much you need to take a break.

You appear to be a much stronger hiker than I am (which isn't surprising since I am not that strong of a hiker). For me carrying a rope and pack, it's about an hour and I definitely take breaks on the slog of stairs up to the Book! 

Dennis Shaver wrote: I have through endomondo. I have 1100 ft of elevation gain and 2.1 miles one way

* elevation gain is both ways, ~900ft one way, there is ~200ft of elevation drop

Thanks, Dennis. This is exactly what I wanted to know. I'd love it if MP had approach mileage and elevation gain for all approaches rather than time estimates. That would make it much easier to compare approaches for trip planning purposes. 

Sorry, I misunderstood...the spur trail is where you will get the bulk of the elevation gain.

EDIT:  Just be aware there are some trees down on the approach after you take a left at Melvin's Wheel, and we had to find a bushwhack alternative to get around them. Stay as close to the rock on your right as you can.

Buck Rio wrote: Sorry, I misunderstood...the spur trail is where you will get the bulk of the elevation gain.

No worries, and yes definitely! Way more fun than a stairmaster. 

Buck Rio wrote: Sorry, I misunderstood...the spur trail is where you will get the bulk of the elevation gain.

EDIT:  Just be aware there are some trees down on the approach after you take a left at Melvin's Wheel, and we had to find a bushwhack alternative to get around them. Stay as close to the rock on your right as you can.

I just hop over that big downed tree on the approach to the left book.. no need to bushwhack but to each their own

L Kap wrote:

Thanks, Dennis. This is exactly what I wanted to know. I'd love it if MP had approach mileage and elevation gain for all approaches rather than time estimates. That would make it much easier to compare approaches for trip planning purposes. 

np, you can use google earth to map out a route and it'll tell you the distance and elevation stats and it ends up being pretty close

Dennis Shaver wrote:

np, you can use google earth to map out a route and it'll tell you the distance and elevation stats and it ends up being pretty close

Nice, I will learn to do that. Appreciate the tip. 

I did the approach yesterday. Forgot to bring my watch to map the approach, which is why I was asking.  

The trails from the parking lot to the Book are clearly marked and unobstructed. There is a downed tree on the descent but it is easily and safely skirted.

Did not go to Left Book but had great fun on Pear Buttress.