And it hits the main trail just AFTER it crosses the North Fork on the way up.
That's really the primary benefit, especially on the return leg if you have a heavy pack and you're tired. The North Fork will tend to flow heavier later in the day with accelerated melt. In heavy snow years, like last year, the rock hops across the stream can flood making crossing with a heavy pack and fatigued legs a real pain. Much easier to just zip down the Old Trail and avoid the crossing altogether.
p2
