I sure did consider that, but while it saves a mile (before meeting up with the original route at Cascade Creek) it adds a 1600' climb right a the the beginning of the trip, followed immediately by another 2000' up from Cascade Creek to Ribbon Meadow that we've got to do in any case. While it would be beautiful, it just might kill my newbie to hit them with that first thing.
I think the plan will just be to start at Tioga Road if we must, and then just take a good long swimming hole break at Cascade Creek. It's flat to there anyway. Then make the climb up to Ribbon Meadows. At least the additional distance hiking in from the road is almost perfectly flat.