I am taking the family out for a weekend in the Sierras. The priorities are a lake to fish, fire allowed, five miles and 2000 elevation gain max. June lakes or south for trail head. Preferably closer to LA.
Examples from last year include Rush creek to Gem lake and Rock creek to Chickenfoot (no campfire was a bummer).
Cottonwood lakes is the current plan, but misses the fire preference.