High Sierra Topix

That basin and its lakes is one of the most popular in the range for both hikers and backpackers. Many of the trailside lake side camp spots are very beat up from all the years of heavy use. That noted it is also a prime example of where...surprise,a more creative visitor can find camp spots out of ear shot without signs of others ever camping in the area.
Per above map, the area in red though not far from the trail is visually blocked by the rib of the red line on the southwest side. Once on the other side it is quite pristine. People camping down at the lakes don't explore there because to do so requires climbing up 100 feet or so over the rib and most people will just follow the stream down to Lower Velma (too much bedrock, poor for camp spots). At least till mid July there is flowing water as the slopes above are heavily forested and mostly north facing. Note there are more ponds than the topo shows. The knob tops have numbers of impressive Sierra junipers with fine views including out towards Tahoe.

Another unique place to camp especially on a one-nighter per the below map is at the area in red just north of the Maggies Peaks ridge line trail crossing. The ridge narrows to an arete with superb views of Tahoe to the northeast with north Maggies Peak sticking up in the sky to the north and Granite Lake below. The granite on the arete is unusual with large tall vertical blocks one can walk across separated by narrow labyrinths of clean sandy soil one can camp down in. The main camping issue is lack of water after snows melt. Thus one would need to fill up down at Granite Lake and then carry that water up 650 feet.

Wow, that sounds like the perfect trip!! Smart to camp at Fontanillis. I've camped at Dicks and Upper Velma. The last time I was in Desolation, I hiked back on the trail by Fontanillis in the morning, and I was surprised by how few camps I saw. I am going to send this to my brother -- also a fly fisherman, backpacker, and busy father. Maybe I can draw him back to the trail!