Trip Advice: Going in from Horseshoe Lake

[Love the Sierra]

Hi,
I managed to reserve permits for Labor Day going in at Horseshoe Lake! I was thinking of camping the first night at Deer Creek, second night at Purple Lake, layover and day hiking at Purple, packing out of Duck Lake. (We will shuttle the cars.)
My questions are:
1) Is there water and where can we find a camp site at Deer Creek?
2)What are your recommendations for late season day hiking from Purple Lake? More scenic to do a loop around Virginia and Ram Lake or to head down to Cascade Valley? What route do you recommend?
As Always- Thanks so very much for the excellent advice!!!