Jon B.,
The Bradford Ridge trail from the 173 would have you approaching the springs from the west. As for the road conditions, it is earth and you will need to go slow but you do not require a 4WD or extra high cleareance like on some of the JF roads around the Bowen Ranch from the east.
I am not sure if by easier you are refering to the hike or the road conditions, but hopefully between this post and my first post I have answered both.
Have a good trip whenever you make it there.