Connecticut · Hiking

Barnum Loop

0.6 mi
loop
160 ft
climb
959 ft
high point
Loop
route
Apr, Jul–Oct
best months

Barnum Loop is a short, easy hike in Connecticut, about 0.8 miles from the town of East Kent. The route is 0.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 160 feet, and it is rated easy. The loop starts at about 943 feet and reaches a high point of 959 feet before returning to a lower point of 780 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.42 miles into the hike, with a grade of 16 percent. The whole trip takes about half an hour. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Falls Village show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 75°F, with July the warmest month at about 85°F. That station sits roughly 400 feet lower than the loop, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. Nearby, the Waramaug Trail and Meeker Trail are both about 3.7 miles away, and the Lower Ledges climbing area is about 3.7 miles off. Caleb's Peak Trail is about 4.2 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jul–Oct

    Best time to visit Barnum Loop

    Best months: April and July–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      35° / 14°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 15°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      47° / 23°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      60° / 33°

      12 wet

    5. May

      72° / 44°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 53°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 58°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 57°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 49°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 38°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 29°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      40° / 20°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Falls Village, CT, 15.7 mi away at 550 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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