As this is my first post let be known that I am overweight, out of shape, and have bad knees--so anything I say about the severity of hike can (unless you're in the same boat) be taken with a grain of salt.
Anyone planning to hike Barren Mountain should know a thing or two about getting there. Getting to the trail head is as much as an adventure as actually climbing the mountain. To get there you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle with reasonable ground clearance.
I drove there from Greenville via the Greenville/KI road, and this the route I would recommend to anyone who desires to do this hike. The Greenville road starts life as Pleasent Street in downtown Greenville. To get to Barren Mountain follow Greenville/KI road to Indian Pond Road. The Indian Pond road is not labled, but there is an old blue pick-up truck bed at the intersection with a sign pointing the way to Gulf Hagas. You follow Indian Pond road past a large downhill sloped field that offers an outstanding view of Barren and Boarstone Mountains. After the view you enter back into woods and encounter a washed-out culvert--hence the need for 4wd. Shortly after the washout (perhaps 1/2 mi.--unfortunately I didn't keep track of distance) you turn right onto another tote road. This road starts off in reasonably good condition, but soon becomes uneven, rocky, and somewhat rutted. Before reaching the trailhead you will cross another washed out culvert. Shortly after the washout the road widens at a relatively sharp corner, and there a clearly visable AT sign on the road. Park here and enjoy the hike. If the two culverts in question are repaired then this could be done, with care, driving a passenger car.
I mention all of this because the route described in the Delorme Atlas (Elliotville Road to Bodfish Farm to trail head) is not passable by car. In fact it requires some serious off-road driving skills (e.g. you have to ford Long Pond Stream twice) and a healthy disregard for your vehicle's paintjob.
The hike itself is pretty long (roughly 8 miles round trip) but not particularly difficult. It is however very remote, I was there on the Fourth of July weekend and met only a group of backpackers on their way to Cloud Pond lean-to. The views from the Barren Slides, and Barren Ledges are excellent and (in hindsight) make the extra 1.8 miles to the summit seem superflous. At the summit views to the north are obscurred by trees, otherwise views are good. There is a firetower at the top, but it is in extremely poor condition, and given the high winds that day (and the fact I was alone) I thought it best not to climb it.
Sorry for being so long winded, though I did try to keep it short.
Anyone planning to hike Barren Mountain should know a thing or two about getting there. Getting to the trail head is as much as an adventure as actually climbing the mountain. To get there you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle with reasonable ground clearance.
I drove there from Greenville via the Greenville/KI road, and this the route I would recommend to anyone who desires to do this hike. The Greenville road starts life as Pleasent Street in downtown Greenville. To get to Barren Mountain follow Greenville/KI road to Indian Pond Road. The Indian Pond road is not labled, but there is an old blue pick-up truck bed at the intersection with a sign pointing the way to Gulf Hagas. You follow Indian Pond road past a large downhill sloped field that offers an outstanding view of Barren and Boarstone Mountains. After the view you enter back into woods and encounter a washed-out culvert--hence the need for 4wd. Shortly after the washout (perhaps 1/2 mi.--unfortunately I didn't keep track of distance) you turn right onto another tote road. This road starts off in reasonably good condition, but soon becomes uneven, rocky, and somewhat rutted. Before reaching the trailhead you will cross another washed out culvert. Shortly after the washout the road widens at a relatively sharp corner, and there a clearly visable AT sign on the road. Park here and enjoy the hike. If the two culverts in question are repaired then this could be done, with care, driving a passenger car.
I mention all of this because the route described in the Delorme Atlas (Elliotville Road to Bodfish Farm to trail head) is not passable by car. In fact it requires some serious off-road driving skills (e.g. you have to ford Long Pond Stream twice) and a healthy disregard for your vehicle's paintjob.
The hike itself is pretty long (roughly 8 miles round trip) but not particularly difficult. It is however very remote, I was there on the Fourth of July weekend and met only a group of backpackers on their way to Cloud Pond lean-to. The views from the Barren Slides, and Barren Ledges are excellent and (in hindsight) make the extra 1.8 miles to the summit seem superflous. At the summit views to the north are obscurred by trees, otherwise views are good. There is a firetower at the top, but it is in extremely poor condition, and given the high winds that day (and the fact I was alone) I thought it best not to climb it.
Sorry for being so long winded, though I did try to keep it short.
! Dont feel bad. My sister and I are probably going to always be "book timers." 
