Trail Overview
Most of this trail could be traversed easily with no issues, but the middle of the trail is made up of steep silty hills that descend the majority of the elevation loss. These hills located in the middle of the trail - sometimes called whoopsies - are steeper heading North West than the South East and once you've begun, it is impossible to turn around on this segment. This segment was used as a logging through-route, but while Boykin Creek is swollen, the silty hills turn into deep mud patches.
Difficulty
Most of this trail is easy, but the middle where the whoopsies get crazy, could be pretty dangerous at night, or in the rainy seasons. As soon as you turn down the middle segment of the trail, have your wits about you, and please walk portions you're not sure about. This type of forest bottom trail is notorious for flipping rigs because of speed management and sudden erosion of the soft surrounding material. Have recovery gear available and ready with this trail.
History
This trail was a combination of routes used by the old mill employees of the Aldridge Mill most likely used to pluck the new growth loblolly pines and yellow pines. The Old Aldridge Mill was formed by W. Hal Aldridge of Rockland, Texas in 1905 and funded by Prince of the Pines himself, John H. Kirby. The structures that are still surrounding this trail were formed out of hand-poured concrete and have been in the Angelina National Forest since the original wooden buildings burned down in 1911. This route was most likely one used to pluck the new wave of loblolly and yellow pine during the clear-cut period of the early 20th century.
