The Gunn Cross at Numeral Rock

July 19, 2026 – Kent, Connecticut

Issue: Reasonable

Size: Roughly 1.5 miles

Max elevation: 766 ft.– complete elevation acquire roughly 400 ft.

Route sort: Out and again

No formal map obtainable

Trailhead parking: Cy Theobald Soccer Area – Skiff Mountain Rd, Kent, CT 06757

Paved car parking zone for greater than 30 autos within the athletic fields car parking zone.

Overview:

Perched excessive above the Housatonic River Valley in Kent, Connecticut, The Gunn Cross and Numeral Rock are among the many most memorable landmarks alongside this part of the Appalachian Path. The hike combines rugged terrain, expansive valley views, and an interesting piece of native historical past, making it a rewarding vacation spot for hikers searching for greater than only a scenic overlook.

The Gunn Cross atop Numeral Rock

Numeral Rock is a dramatic rocky outcrop that gives sweeping views of the Housatonic River, the rolling hills of northwestern Connecticut, and the Kent College campus beneath. Standing prominently on the ledge is The Gunn Cross, a towering picket memorial initially erected in 1929 in honor of Charles Berry Gunn Jr., a Kent College pupil who died through the influenza epidemic of 1928. Just lately restored and reinstalled, the cross as soon as once more serves as each a landmark and a long-lasting tribute overlooking the valley.

Numeral Rock view

The Gunn Cross at Numeral Rock

Whether or not you’re drawn by the panoramic vistas, the historic significance of the memorial, or just one other lovely stretch of the Appalachian Path, this hike delivers a memorable expertise. The route follows a rocky ridgeline by means of mature forest earlier than rising onto the open ledges of Numeral Rock, the place the spectacular cross and breathtaking surroundings make the climb effectively definitely worth the effort.

Historical past:

The Gunn Cross has been a well-known landmark in Kent for almost a century. The unique 24-foot Celtic-style picket cross was erected in 1929 in reminiscence of Charles Berry Gunn Jr. Class of ’28, a Kent College pupil who died through the influenza epidemic of 1928. One among 5 college students misplaced through the outbreak, Gunn was remembered by his household with a monument that might stand as each a private memorial and an emblem of remembrance for the whole Kent College neighborhood. The cross was designed by architect Roger Bullard, who additionally designed Kent College’s St. Joseph’s Chapel. It was crafted from teak and carried to the summit piece by piece by college students, who additionally hauled cement, gravel, and water up the steep path to assemble its huge concrete basis.

Charles Berry Gunn Memorial

After many years of publicity to the weather, the cross progressively deteriorated till solely its fundamental upright remained. Round 2020, the remaining beam was eliminated for security, leaving Numeral Rock with out its iconic landmark for a number of years. Impressed by alumni and guided by historic images and unique drawings preserved within the faculty archives, Kent College undertook an formidable restoration venture. Grasp carpenter Michael Rost hand-crafted a devoted reproduction from huge white oak beams over the course of 9 months, whereas the Amenities Division ready the positioning for set up. In April 2025, the brand new cross was transported to the summit and erected on the unique basis, restoring one among Kent’s most recognizable landmarks.

Michael Rost – Gunn Cross

The cross stands on Numeral Rock, a outstanding quartzite ledge traversed by the Appalachian Path. The overlook has lengthy been a vacation spot for hikers and Kent College college students alike, providing sweeping views of the Housatonic River Valley, the Kent College campus, and the encompassing hills. Additionally it is residence to one of many faculty’s oldest traditions often called Rock Day, when every spring the Fifth Type class hikes to Numeral Rock to color its class 12 months on the expansive rock face earlier than ascending to Sixth Type. The colourful numerals, layered over generations, gave the landmark its enduring title.

Rock Day – Kent College

Trails Overview:

Path Replace: Following extreme storm harm that washed out the Macedonia Brook bridge north of CT Route 341, the Appalachian Path was rerouted in late 2023. The brand new route follows a lot of the unique 1930’s Appalachian Path alignment, climbing steeply previous Numeral Rock and The Gunn Cross earlier than rejoining the present path close to Skiff Mountain Highway. The reroute will stay in place till the bridge is changed.

Appalachian Path alignment 2026

Please Observe: As a result of this reroute was established after extreme storm harm in late 2023, some printed maps, guidebooks, GPS apps, and older GPX tracks should still present the Appalachian Path’s former alignment. Remember to comply with the official white blazes and posted reroute indicators reasonably than relying solely on older maps.

The simplest and most handy path to Numeral Rock and The Gunn Cross begins on the Kent College athletic fields car parking zone. Parking is out there for hikers, however guests needs to be conscious of college actions and occasions. The most effective instances to make use of this lot are when faculty shouldn’t be in session and when there are not any athletic video games or different scheduled actions going down.

Kent College Campus

This hike follows the Appalachian Path for almost its whole size, with solely two brief exceptions: the stroll by means of the Kent College athletic fields and a quick part of blue-blazed path that begins close to the Route 341 sidewalk earlier than connecting with the present Appalachian Path alignment. As soon as the path reaches the Appalachian Path, the blue blazes proceed alongside the white blazes, marking a co-aligned part of path all the way in which to Numeral Rock and The Gunn Cross.

Numeral Rock Path – Appalachian Path

The path is effectively marked and simple to comply with. Though the climb is comparatively brief—simply over one-third of a mile—it’s pretty steep, gaining roughly 300 toes in elevation over a rocky, uneven terrain to the Gunn Cross atop Numeral Rock.

Parking & Facilities:

A paved car parking zone with house for greater than 30 autos is out there on the Kent College Athletic Fields on Skiff Mountain Highway. The lot is positioned immediately throughout from the primary entrance to the Kent College campus, between the soccer area and the paddle tennis courts, and supplies essentially the most handy entry to the trailhead.

Kent College Athletic Fields car parking zone

If the Kent College Gymnasium is open, public restrooms can be found inside. In any other case, there are not any restroom amenities alongside the hike.

Hike Overview:

I first got here throughout a photograph of The Gunn Cross on social media and was instantly intrigued by its distinctive setting atop Numeral Rock. Surprisingly, I couldn’t discover any detailed info on-line explaining easy methods to attain it, which solely made me extra decided to trace it down.

Whereas researching the realm, I additionally realized about Glacier Rock, a big glacial erratic positioned simply off the Appalachian Path a brief distance north of Numeral Rock. Hoping to seek out it as effectively, we continued alongside the path past the place it was alleged to be. Sadly, regardless of looking out fastidiously, we got here up empty-handed. I hadn’t been capable of finding any pictures of Glacier Rock beforehand, so I had no visible reference, and the dense forest supplied few clues to assist pinpoint its location.

Whereas researching the route and the most effective place to park, I found that the mapping app I used to be utilizing nonetheless confirmed the Appalachian Path’s former alignment, earlier than it was rerouted in late 2023. Following the outdated map, I initially parked the place the Appalachian Path as soon as crossed CT Route 341 close to the bottom of Mount Algo. Once I arrived, nonetheless, it shortly grew to become obvious that the path now not continued throughout the sector on the other facet of the street. As an alternative, the reroute follows the sidewalk southeast alongside Route 341 for a couple of quarter mile earlier than turning again into the woods. That will have added about 0.8 mile of street strolling to this hike.

Since I wasn’t inquisitive about beginning and ending the hike with a street stroll—even one with a sidewalk—I appeared for a greater possibility. I drove to the primary entrance of the Kent College campus and requested the gate attendant if there was an acceptable place to park for the hike to Numeral Rock. He directed us to the Kent College Athletic Fields car parking zone immediately throughout the road, which turned out to be the proper start line. From there, we averted the sidewalk part fully and loved a way more direct and scenic method to Numeral Rock and The Gunn Cross.

Though this can be a comparatively brief hike, it might simply be prolonged by persevering with north or south on the Appalachian Path to create an extended outing. Whilst a fast tour, nonetheless, the reward is effectively definitely worth the effort. The sweeping views from Numeral Rock, coupled with the historic Gunn Cross, make this brief hike a memorable vacation spot.

This out and again hike begins and ends on the Kent College Athletic Fields car parking zone.

The Gunn Cross at Numeral Rock

This hike consists of about 400 toes of elevation acquire.

Gunn Cross elevation graph

The Hike:

As a result of the Blue Path is co-aligned with the white-blazed Appalachian Path all the way in which to Numeral Rock, I’ll consult with this part merely because the “Numeral Rock Path” all through this hike description to keep away from any confusion.

From the car parking zone, comply with the paved path alongside the soccer area. On the far finish of the sector, close to the tip zone, proceed diagonally to the proper throughout the baseball outfield towards one other paved path resulting in CT Route 341 (Macedonia Highway). Flip proper onto the sidewalk and comply with it for a brief distance to the path entrance.

Kent College Athletic Fields

Route 341 – Macedonia Highway

On the day of our hike, a brief signal marked the doorway to the path. With out it, I probably would have walked proper previous the trailhead, as the doorway was partially overgrown and simple to overlook. If the signal is now not there and you may’t find the path, merely proceed alongside the Route 341 sidewalk for one more 500 toes or so. The Appalachian Path enters the woods from the other way at a way more apparent location, permitting you to select up the path from there.

Numeral Rock Trailhead

As soon as previous the overgrown path entrance, the trail shortly turns into well-defined and simple to comply with. At first, you’ll see solely blue blazes, however after about 225 toes, simply past a big boulder on the left facet of the path, the white-blazed Appalachian Path enters from the left and merges with the blue-blazed Numeral Rock Path. From this level on, each units of blazes mark the path to Numeral Rock and The Gunn Cross.

Numeral Rock Path

Numeral Rock Path – Appalachian Path

Numeral Rock Path

The Numeral Rock Path begins climbing nearly instantly, gaining elevation alongside a rocky, well-defined footpath. In a number of locations, the route crosses broad rock slabs and threads between scattered boulders, including to the path’s rugged character. The ascent is shaded by a mature forest for its whole size, offering aid from the solar because it climbs towards Numeral Rock.

Numeral Rock Path

The Numeral Rock Path weaves its well past quite a lot of attention-grabbing rock formations, with rugged ledges, huge boulders, and uncovered bedrock lining a lot of the route, including scenic curiosity to the regular climb.

Numeral Rock Path

About 0.6 mile from the car parking zone, the Appalachian Path makes a pointy left flip on the base of a big rock formation. That is Numeral Rock. In case you’re in the proper place, you’ll probably discover paint on the uncovered rock face. Lookup by means of the bushes and chances are you’ll catch your first glimpse of The Gunn Cross, standing atop the rocky cliff above.

Numeral Rock

The Gunn Cross atop Numeral Rock

From the bottom of Numeral Rock, fastidiously make your approach as much as The Gunn Cross and the overlook. The climb is steep and requires a little bit of scrambling over uncovered rock, so use warning, particularly if the floor is moist. Your effort is rewarded with sweeping views of the Housatonic River Valley and the encompassing hills. A number of shade bushes close to the summit present a snug place to sit down, catch your breath, and benefit from the surroundings—even on a heat summer time day.

The Gunn Cross atop Numeral Rock

From Numeral Rock, the panoramic view stretches to the southwest throughout the Housatonic River Valley. Mount Algo rises prominently on the proper, whereas farmlands and rolling hills unfold out beneath. On clear days, the view extends effectively past the Connecticut border into neighboring New York.

Numeral Rock view

From the highest of Numeral Rock, you possibly can peer over the sting (fastidiously) to see the big painted “27” beneath, marking the Kent College Class of 2027. The colourful numerals are seen from U.S. Route 7 on the other facet of the Housatonic River. It’s doable to scramble right down to the bottom of the painted cliff for a greater look, however the route is steep, uneven, and considerably uncovered. In case you select to take action, use warning and be certain of your footing.

Numeral Rock

Initially, we got down to go to each The Gunn Cross on Numeral Rock and Glacier Rock, a big glacial erratic positioned a brief distance farther north alongside the Appalachian Path. After exploring past Numeral Rock for some time, we sadly have been unable to find it.

In case you resolve to seek for Glacier Rock your self and have higher luck, I’d like to see it! Ship me a photograph together with its location, as I used to be a bit dissatisfied that we couldn’t discover this elusive landmark throughout our hike.

While you’re able to return to the car parking zone, merely retrace your steps alongside the Numeral Rock Path. The route follows the identical rocky path again down from Numeral Rock, descending by means of the shaded forest and returning you to the Kent College Athletic Fields the place the hike started.

Numeral Rock Path

Route 341 – Macedonia Highway

Kent College Baseball Area

Kent College Soccer Area

Kent College Athletic Fields car parking zone

Evaluate:

This brief however rewarding hike is an ideal instance of a vacation spot that delivers way over its mileage suggests. The regular climb to Numeral Rock and The Gunn Cross gives a pleasant dose of rugged Appalachian Path terrain, with rocky footing, a scenic overlook, and an interesting piece of Kent historical past ready on the prime. Whereas the hike is transient, the panoramic view of the Housatonic River Valley and the distinctive story behind the cross make this a memorable outing effectively definitely worth the effort.

Professionals:

Quick hike with a giant payoff, spectacular view of the Housatonic River Valley from Numeral Rock, historic and distinctive vacation spot that includes The Gunn Cross, well-marked path that’s straightforward to comply with, shaded route, making it fulfilling even on hotter days, simply extendable by persevering with alongside the Appalachian Path for an extended hike.

Cons:

No official path map obtainable for this particular route, brief hike could really feel too transient for some hikers, restricted parking choices relying on Kent College actions, path entrance might be straightforward to overlook when overgrown, no views till reaching Numeral Rock, extra looking out required if trying to find Glacier Rock.

Take a hike!