Staying in Yosemite after JMT/Permit Question
Hi, everyone. Planning a NOBO JMT trip where I intend to finish in Yosemite around July 31st/August 1st. I've never been to the park before so I want to add on a day I fly home, but I'm confused about how the permits work and whether I'd be able to spend an extra night in the backpacker's campground.
My exact plan is to hike from Cathedral Lake -> Happy Isles on July 31st (with a side trip to Cloud's Rest), then hopefully spend the 1st in the "backpacker's campground" and then bus back to Fresno after that. Is there a JMT campground at Happy Isles or is it just the regular backpacker's campground near Nort Pines? Would I get in trouble for staying there 2 nights? If needed, I could stay in Little Yosemite valley on the night of the 31st and then finish the final stretch on the 1st, but I've heard it gets crowded with Half Dome hikers.
I also am yet to secure a permit but I am hoping to get a last-minute permit for Inyo to start around July 10th once they drop 2 weeks in advance. Has anyone had experience with the 2-week lottery, and how easy is it to secure one for Cottonwood Lakes? Also, if anyone has any recs for what to do during one day in Yosemite that'd be great!