I might do that -- the trip reports I've read for Duck Pass/Lake look interesting. My goal for the first night is Virginia Lake, one of my favorite spots on the JMT. There's probably a good chance that I'll be able to switch to Duck Pass when the two week "walk up" window opens, but that might also be super-competitive unlike 2020 and 2021. ?
Of the Mammoth area southbound entry points, I think Red Cones is probably a little better than the JMT-Devil's Postpile start since the burn area south of Reds is not a very pleasant walk, and the starting trailhead is easy to get to via the Lakes Basin shuttle bus.?
ravi_jmt2013