5 places in the Sierra to beat the heat and see fall colors this weekend

With Los Angeles temperatures forecast in the high 90s this weekend, a trip to the Eastern Sierra and points north offers a double bonus: cooler temperatures and beautiful fall colors.

John Poimiroo of California Fall Color reports that trees are at their best right now at elevations of 8,500 feet to 9,000 feet in the Eastern Sierra. Places like Rock Creek, Sherwin Lakes and Twin Lakes off Highway 395 are worth a stop. And temperatures in these areas are forecast to be in the mid to high 70s and cooler in the evenings.

Here are five places to explore and beat the heat. For details on these and other destinations, go to the California Fall Color website and download California's Eastern Sierra Fall Color Guide.

Lundy Canyon

Lundy Canyon in Mono County

(Dotty Molt)

(Dotty Molt )

The aspen trees that line the road to Lundy Canyon near Lee Vining haven't yet completely turned. The California Fall Color website puts the colors at about 50%, with peak yet to come. So grab your camera and take a three-mile hike in the canyon that winds above Mill Creek to lakes and waterfalls.

Parker Lake

Parker Lake in Mono County

(Alicia Vennos)

(Alicia Vennos )

The June Lake Loop south of Mammoth Lakes is a classic fall drive, but the trees just don't seem to be popping. It's still beautiful though; here's what Parker Lake looks like with more green than yellow showing. Take a four-mile hike where you'll find excellent opportunities to snap photos with glassy reflections in the lake.

Dunderberg Meadow

Dunderberg Meadow in Mono County.

(Philip Reedy)

(Philip Reedy)

The aspens are showy at Dunderberg Meadow, eight miles west of Conway Summit on Highway 395. The best access is via a dirt road for four-wheelers that starts off the Virginia Lakes Road. The Virginia Lakes area is past peak but you'll see some nice colors at lower elevations.

Coffee Creek

Dogwood Drupe in Coffee Creek

(Jeri Rangel )

(Jeri Rangel)

The Shasta Cascade area should be blazing with colors from big-leaf maples, cottonwoods and black oaks, but the drought has taken its toll on the leaves. Some of the brightest colors right now come from dogwood shrubs. They bloom creamy white in spring and show bright red flowers in fall. These (above) were photographed this week near North Trinity Lake in Plumas County.

Spanish Creek

Spanish Creek in Plumas County

(Mike Nellor)

(Mike Nellor )

Here's another spot in the Shasta Cascade area worth a look on the outskirts of the town of Quincy. If you walk along Spanish Creek, you may be rewarded with these views, above, where Indian rhubarb provides some glorious gold. Photographer Mike Nellor found this sweet spot near Oakland Camp.

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