Picayune Lake, Trinity County

Picayune Lake (above & right) is a picturesque montane lake at 6100' elevation in the extreme northeast corner of Trinity County, just west of the divide that forms the boundary with Siskiyou County. It is reached by a narrow but paved road (Road 26) west from Mt. Shasta City, a couple of miles beyond the left-hand fork to Gumboot Lake. Continue on Road 26 to the gravel forest road 40N45, turning right and up over the divide, and down into Trinity County. Along this road is a series of seeps (see below). After about a mile, fork left on road 39N18 and watch for the first left-hand gravel road, blocked by a gate. Park here and walk the quarter-mile or so down to Picayune Lake (not sign-posted). There is a private cabin on the lake, so one should avoid anyone using that, but the lake is otherwise public accessible. A vernal pond (see below) is about half-way along this final stretch of gravel road.

The seeps that run down the steep slopes above road 40N45 are lined with impressive patches of Darlingtonia pitcher-plants. Carefully searching high up one of these seeps resulted in the eventual discovery of a Black Petaltail (right – sitting among the pitcher-plants, and below). This relict species of an ancient line of dragonflies, which flew at the time dinosaurs roamed during the Jurassic era, was a major focus of this trip (22 July 2007). Kathy & Dave Biggs have reported finding many of them here in previous July visits, but I was able to locate only this single male.

The vernal pond along the final road down to Picayune Lake (right), mentioned above, had swarms of odes. Many were Twelve-spotted Skimmers, but Common Whitetail, Variable & Shadow Darners, and both American & Mountain Emeralds were present. It also had many spreadwings, some young and some mature.

A selection is shown in the quartet of photos below, clockwise from upper left: Shadow Darner andromorphic female in flight (also watched her ovipositing), Emerald Spreadwing teneral male, Common Whitetail male, and Lyre-tipped Spreadwing male.

Finally, upon reaching the shores of Picayune Lake itself, we were treated to several Mountain Emeralds in flight, one of which was photographed (below).

Our previous stop had been nearby Gumboot Lake, just over the divide in Siskiyou County. More of the day's highlights are shown there.