This hike explores the west side of the Fairgrounds trails network and is a shorter version of the Carnie Loop. It begins as an easy walk, crossing the Poultney River and following a woods road. The trail narrows and winds through mostly hemlock and deciduous forest, reaching two benches with nice views before returning on the woods road.
Cue Sheet
- From the parking lot kiosk, walk down the trail paralleling Town Farm Road.
- Turn left on Town Farm Road and then right on Route 140.
- Walk along Route 140 and turn left at the wide trail entrance onto Ringmaster trail at mile 0.3. Go around the gate, cross the Poultney River and follow the wide woods road through an open meadow.
- At mile 0.7 turn right to stay on Ringmaster and follow it across a large meadow. This meadow is referred to as the fairgrounds, a onetime site of the Rutland agricultural fair in 1853.
- Reenter the woods and at mile 1.0 turn right onto the Big Top trail which will soon narrow and begin a gentle ascent to the top.
- At mile 2.0 a bench is reached with views to the east.
- Continue to the top at mile 3.0 where there is another bench with good views. The trail now begins a descent to the junction with the Scrambler and Carnie trails at mile 3.4.
- Turn left on Scrambler and continue to descend as the trail switchbacks its way down a steeper hillside.
- At mile 4.0 the junction with Ringmaster is reached. Turn left on Ringmaster to return to Route 140.
- At mile 5.3, enjoying the open vistas as you walk through the meadows. Turn right and walk on the shoulder of Route 140.
- Turn left on Town Farm Rd at mile 5.4. Turn right onto the trail paralleling Town Farm Road to return to the parking lot.