https://columbiagorgeexpress.com/ now runs daily, even in winter.
A friend of mine and I took the 12:05 bus from Gateway Transit Center, and returned on the 4:47pm bus. Non-stop (no Rooster Rock stop in winter). Very convenient.
The restored trail is in decent condition. Some loose rocks, but not bad.
This is an ideal easy-ish trail: short drive, ~5 miles, ~6 named waterfalls. Very pretty all along.