Continuing down towards the creek I found another bench to hold one of the trestle bents:
I got to the creek and found the water was low enough to stepping stone across. Then I was faced with how to get back up the railroad grade. I scanned the area carefully:
1) to my left was thick brush,
2) straight in front of me was a nearly sheer rock and dirt wall,
3) to my right was more brush, but it appears as if there might be a way up through the brush to the grade so I headed that way.
The quasi-trail was very steep and by hanging on to tree branches I slowly worked my way up the side of the hill.
About 3/4 the way up I found this:
This indicated I must be close. About 20 more feet up the slope I came out on the railroad grade about 50 feet from the edge of the canyon. The grade back towards Big Sandy Campground was covered with brush and large fallen trees. Since the fire had not burned this area, there was no viable way to hike in from Big Sandy.
I walked the 50 feet or so to the edge of the canyon and found what looked like the remains of a bridge timber or maybe a tie:
Next: the modern view from the other side....