I am preparing for a 10-day Yosemite loop that younger/fitter hikers will tell me I should do in half the time. I’m allocating two days for Merced Lake to Vogelsang: the outside trail, which parallels Lewis Creek. I'm looking for potential layover spots.
About a mile before the turn-off to Bernice Lake, the trail crosses a feeder-creek that flows out of Florence Lake. Does anyone know if there’s a good place to pitch a tent near the trail, along that creek? Is there better camping, with water, elsewhere between Merced Lake and Bernice Lake? If I decide to go all the way to Bernice Lake, a mile off-trail, is it worth the detour?
Thanks.