This area is probably where I'd cross, if I did it again - at least before mid-August or so.
@OldBill's line is pretty similar to what I actually did and there is now (as of 09/2021) a trail pointing roughly that route, but the crossing directly on the trail is intended for horses and you'd most likely need to explore upstream if on foot.
Makes sense. Horses have longer legs. When I sketched @Bob's route looked like it went through whitewater! Probably to make it more "interesting". Just below river narrows, but tough to make out what it's like. There's an oxbow bend a mile or so below that isn't as efficient, but seems like water should be slower there. Unfortunately, Caltopo print reduces res. even more so apologize for blur.
Slow looking water is usually deep.... Riffle looking water is usually shsllow .. no heavy white water doesn't work but some whitewater may not be deep
They reconstructed the Ink Wells Cutoff Trail last year after @TheMountainRabbit's trip. Talked to FS in Dubois who said ford is passable by backpackers, but had no recent reports. Maybe easier late season, early morning. @Bob's route still looks drier though. Anyway article is Trail Restoration