First and foremost, it took me well over an hour to even get to --or fine-- the building that housed the portal to get to the Soul Essence Gem. I finally got the gem, but there was no portal to get back--only a grate. After angrily searching the rooftop, nothing. Sure you can just jump off of the roof without dying, so I did. Then, I spent another hour or more trying to get back to the stairs, which was an even more of an impossibility. As it has been in Skyrim the devil is in the compass, for one thing. Just when you think that you are heading North you going South in the opposite direction. At this point, I just want to get back to Skyrim. Does any one know how I do that either game play wise or utilizing the console? (What is fun and challenging for one person isn't necessarily fun and challenging for another.) Anyone have any ideas?

You can actually ignore this thread, if you wish?!? I have since deleted all of the saves up to when I first leveled up to level 10. Although, I should start and entirely new game?. It is frustrating to have to go back and replay some 6 to 10 hours of play time. It actually makes me sick to my stomach.

if you are bout the soul carin exit. it the same you got in

It is about after retrieving the soul essence gem and getting back to the stairs. In my game you cannot go back through the portal, because there is none--just a grate where it once was. You can jump down from the roof however. I did that and then spent well over an hour trying to get back to the stairs which --in my game-- is impossible. If I follow the compass leading to the stairs I find myself blocked by the blue force field. I covered every inch of that ground and couldn't even find the stairs. I can't even see it in the distance. It is as though it is behind the blue barrier. I don't know? But, it matters not now, because I deleted all of the saves leading up to when I fist got to level 10: And, have started over much to my chagrin.

i get you now. i had the same problem. it hard for me explain. i followed the compass as i could i had to deviate off cousre a few times. but i once i found the ghostly merchant i found my way out

I always use the prison where Valerica is as a reference point. It's easy to pick out because it has two shafts of that light shining up from it and your exit is in the opposite direction!

Thanks all!

Just deselect all quests except one you know to be on the outside for sure, then it leads you right to it.
If you have the Clairvoyance spell you can use it to make things even easier.

After I restarted the Dawnguard quest, having deleted all of the saves after reaching level ten, I was meticulous in playing the game, paying particular attention to anything to do with Dawnguard and came through the "Soul Cairn" with no problems so to speak. The only problem being my personal play ability. Speaking of personal I am finding Dawnguard more intriguing to play than the "main quest." Perhaps Dawnguard should have been a game in and of itself? What do you think?