I spent last weekend hiking to Emeric Lake. I had a reserved permit for Rafferty Creek trail, and was deciding between Vogelsang Lake and Emeric...the windy-yet-not-too-cold conditions Saturday convinced me to go for the longer, but lower elevation, and therefore swimmable Emeric.
Bugs: not a problem.
Water: Obviously there are lakes...Rafferty Creek has no flowing water, and only a few stagnant pools in the middle reaches. The pond at Tuolumne Pass has fresh-looking water despite no flow in or out. The two ponds below Boothe Lake likewise have fresh-looking water despite no flow. Emeric Creek has stagnant water pools in the meadow and no flow, Fletcher Creek is flowing reasonably.
Pics: Alpenglow at Emeric Lake:
Next morning:
Boothe Lake:
Fletcher Creek: