![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
With this in mind, here are the options I have been considering (but do not know where to best fit in the ‘explore/rest’ day although Bernice Lake sounds real nice...
Day 1: Leave Cathedral Lakes trailhead near TM and hike a bit past the Sunrise High Sierra Camp area
Day 2: Hike to Merced Lake HSC via the trail that goes thru Echo Creek (or longer hike via JMT).
Day 3: Hike to Bernice Lake via the Lewis Creek trail (or longer loop to Bernice via Fletcher Creek trail)
Day 4: Explore area around Bernice Lake
Day 5: Bernice Lake to Emeric Lake via Vogelsang HSC
Day 6: Hike back to TM via the Rafferty Creek trail.
Alternative Day 5b: Bernice Lake to Ireland Lake
Alternative Day 6b: Ireland Lake to TM via Lyell Canyon
Or if done clockwise:
Day 1 : TM to Evelyne Lake via Lyell Canyon (or TM to Vogelsang via the Rafferty Creek trail)
Day 2: Evelyn Lake to Bernice Lake passing by Vogelsang (or directly from Vogelsand)
Day 3: Explore Bernice Lake area
Day 4: Bernice Lake to Merced Lake area
Day 5: Merced Lake to Sunrise Lakes area
Day 6: Exit to TM via the JMT
Any feedback/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Of course, I am open to other route suggestions. Thanks again!