It's very easy to pass the SF Trail, it usually has some twigs blocking access, so the cruise controllers don't wander down there by mistake. It's about 180' above the 1st crossing.
The trail is easy to find, if you are looking for it and easy to follow. I like because constant up until you climb in to South Fork Lakes area, then it goes of 500-600' real fast.
If you are uncomfortable going off trail, stay on the CL/NAP Trail. We didn't have a problem at all the first time we did it. I don't think we've ever done the same way twice.
I think the most people we've ever seen on this trail is 4 other people. Last year, we didn't see a soul returning from a trip through Cottonwood Lakes.
