Very challenging hike and I chose this as my first.  Go figure.  This is definitely harder than doing it from the tram but a beautfiul one.  We got there before 6 AM due to all the trailhead parking getting full on the weekends.  It was a good idea anyway as the day was warm.  Plenty of places to stop and fill up water so bring a filter.   I filled up on the way back at Little Round Valley.  Going up we did not see a lot of people but coming down there were quite a few but not terrible.  I saw people who didn't look prepared.  Wrong shoes and only holding 1 water bottle.   If you have bad knees this is a brutal hike.  There are a lot of step type areas that really hurt the knees coming down.  I probably wouldn't take this route again mainly just because of my knees.