Can't believe I got that one. The water grass, and the fact that I sat there for a while once. Here is a picture for you all:  D 2

That kind of looks like the Rimrock trail near where it gets really close to that old spur road.  Whatever trail it is it was certainly a busy route at one point in its life - that corridor is really wide.

MP3 trailhead?

Kind of does Rob, but I don't think there is red cedar and western hemlock that high. The start up the bank, MP 3, kind of does. But it's not. Now when you see a nice straight corridor not much must have been in the way when built apart from a few easily pulled or blown out stumps.   D 2

It reminds me of the Memaloose Trail on the east side of the South Fork Clackamas River.

I have not been able to find Memaloose trail remnants. My last effort ended short of trail discovery at a meth camp. Needless to say I turned around. But the trail in question would be in the same plant zone elevation-wise.   D 2

OK then. Clue of the day: Kirk would have at some point arrived at a junction with mystery trail. I realize that could be said of any trail at one time. Let's just say that at some time within a day's ride he would have. Alright, half a day's ride.   D 2 

Another clue of the day: wood steps.   D 2

OK, I don't know what the wood steps clue means, but I'm going to take another stab.  Is that the grouse point trail?  If not, was this an old road?

Alright then, another clue. What goes up must come down, but what goes down no longer comes up.   D 2

Wood steps, like on the South Fork Mountain trail?

BrianEdwards said Wood steps, like on the South Fork Mountain trail?

There are steps on the South Fork Mountain trail?

There's something wooden on that trail along Stroupe Creek near the waterfall

There is a small bridge beside Stroup Creek. But that is not it. Here is my final clue: This trail is one of closest trails to drive to from Estacada. And bonus clue: there is/was a some geo trash at the bottom of it. (I almost packed it out as trash. A small tackle box. But then I thought maybe someone forgot they're box of charms and might come back for it. Years later I stumbled on another elsewhere but the company I was with told me it was geo trash. So now I understand.  For the unknowing, it still looks like trash out of place in woods.)   D 2

What about the trail at the confluence of the South Fork, the one that crosses Memaloose Rd 45. I think the trail eastward towards Helion Creek is logged over, and the trail leading down the west side of Helion Creek got burned. The only thing wooden connecting to Kirks guess that im aware of is the old OC waterworks.

OK. Final final clue. An official "system" trail the name of which is a compound word. D 2.

So I'm guessing it is the Hillockburn trail?  If so, where are the wooden steps?  Are you referring to the monstrosity that is to the side of the trail with a bunch of logs and cables?  Looks kind of like a loading chute or something?

YeaH! A winner! The steps are cut into that large tree across the trail near the bottom. D 2

I had forgotten about those steps over that large log down the trail.  I remember the one on the Fish Creek Mountain trail, though. For posting a new photo, I am currently have some computer challenges.  If anyone else wants to post a photo, feel free to do so.  If no one posts a new photo, I'll post one when I get past my issues.

I guess no one wanted to post a photo.  OK, here is one - hopefully it is not too easy.  This was taken from an abandoned trail in the district.  What trail was it?