Polecat Alley

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Polecat Alley is a good intermediate trail for runners looking to move up from the easier flatland routes. With winding and up-and-down portions, a variety of desert flora, and nice views of the west Texas desert, it's a "something for everybody" trail.

Polecat is split into western and eastern segments, with the middle part running along Blue Moon. The western end forks off from Trenchtown Road near a small outlier foothill. A sign marks the starting point. Only a third of a mile long, this side of the trail is a quick, mostly straight descent on packed dirt singletrack. There are fewer rocks to contend with compared to other area trails.

Signs mark both entry/exit points where Polecat crosses Blue Moon. The eastern section is more technical than the first half, but is still very manageable with most rocks no larger than baseballs. As the GPS track indicates, it is a very winding trail, requiring runners to keep their eyes down. This can be a challenge at times, as Polecat spends much of its distance on ridges that offer some excellent views out towards the northeastern desert and mountains. There is a nice variety of vegetation here as well.

After a mile of twists and turns through agave and ocotillos, Polecat Alley ends at Old Tin Mine Road. A sign marks the beginning of the trail on this side as well. Runners returning to the eastern end of the state park can take advantage of the nearby South Ridge and Cardiac Hill trails for a better connection back.