I have been planning a trip from Bridalveil Campground on Glacier Point Road south to Buena Vista Lake, then down the Buena Vista trail to Illilouette Falls, then down the JMT to Happy Isles. I wanted to do this trip in 2020 but, between the fires and the COVID, I didn't get in any backpacking. This trip is planned for August 2021.
I started doing this trip in 2015 but that was a very dry year. I hiked out of the campground south to Deer Camp and found a bone dry stream. Since I hadn't planned on it, I had to turn around and head back to Glacier Point Road. I ended up doing a tour of the South Rim, camping near Dewey Point and Taft Point. Bridalveil Creek was the only reliable source of water.
Next year, I'm planning on hiking to Ostrander Lake for my first night. Then, I would contour east to pick up the Buena Vista trail near Edson Lake. Then, I would hike south on the BV trail to Buena Vista Lake for my second night. After bagging Buena Vista Peak, I'd head north on the BV trail, camping somewhere around IllIlouette Creek for my third night.
Has anyone else tried this cross country route from Ostrander Lake to the BV trail? On CalTopo's aerial photos, it looks like a big sheet of granite, easily traversed. The little bit of forest along the way doesn't look too thick. Any thoughts?