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Polecat Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.1 (78)
  1. Areas
  2. ID
  3. …Southwestern Idaho
  4. …Boise, Eagle, Meridian
  5. Polecat Gulch
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“Flowy singletrack with some climbs, lizards, and lots of character. ”

Tyler Zundel
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Map Key

6.3

Miles

10.1

KM

100%

Singletrack

3,481' 1,061 m

High

3,117' 950 m

Low

776' 236 m

Up

751' 229 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Avoid when muddy or wet - this trail is prone to rutting

Overview

This is an excellent trail that provides about 6.4 miles of riding and 750 feet of climbing. Wildlife sightings are common, and the variety of trail substrate provides an interesting and variable ride every time.

The main loop of this system is to go around the outside of the trail, tracing a roughly catcher's mitt shaped path.

Need to Know

Lots of users, and it's narrow in some places. Keep your speed down until you know the trail.

2021 Pilot Program In Place: April 26-November 1, 2021. All users will be required to travel counter-clockwise.

Description

This trail can be accessed from either the trailhead off Cartwright Road or from the Polecat Loop trailhead near the end of Collister Road. The trail is well marked and is one-way only in many places (clockwise if doing the whole outer loop), please follow the signs.

The loop has one significant climb which will be at the midpoint if you start off Cartwright, or right at the beginning if you begin at Collister. The remainder of the trail is nice, flowy singletrack that rolls the sagebrush covered Boise foothills.

This trail has dirt, sand, and gravel, but not rocky or technical sections. It's a great workout and should be on the rotation for any Boise riders' after work regimen.

Contacts

Land Manager: Ridge to Rivers

Shared By:

Tyler Zundel with improvements by Graham Freeman and 3 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 78 votes

#1

in Polecat Gulch

#204

Overall
  4.1 from 78 votes
5 Star
28%
4 Star
53%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Polecat Gulch

#3

in Idaho

#204

Overall
13 Views Last Month
14,009 Since Sep 6, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate
3%
5%
91%
0%
2%
0%
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Photos

Sunrise over Polecat Trail
Apr 4, 2015 near Boise, ID
Another section of the Polecat trail!
May 22, 2018 near Garden…, ID
On the Polecat.
Nov 2, 2016 near Boise, ID
Polecat loop. i am a beginner mountain biker (3months in the making) but i have been on a bike since i was just a kiddo. polecat was the perfect ride that pushed me out of my comfort zone. score on my part
Apr 21, 2018 near Garden…, ID
Overlooking Simplot Hill and a good view of downtown Boise.
May 31, 2016 near Garden…, ID
High point of Polecat
Sep 6, 2014 near Garden…, ID

1 Comment

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Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 22, 2023
Ryan Crenshaw
May 18, 2022
Trisha Thorman
6.5mi — 0h 50m
Jul 17, 2021
Taylor Morris
6.5mi — 1h 30m
Jun 25, 2021
Dessa Clark
Wonderful ride. The narrow trails and steep gulches were intimidating 6mi — 1h 31m
Jun 23, 2021
Stacey Knowles
May 24, 2021
Ryan Gartley
6.3mi
Sep 19, 2020
Aaron Null
Aug 28, 2020
Andy Somerville
All clear in great shape. First time riding it counterclockwise. I think I prefer clockwise but nice variety going both ways 12.8mi

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