Plan is to do the Arlington WA fly in mid August then on to Sullivan Lake and who knows where to next. What is Sullivan lake like. Any fresh water available, shade trees or use the wing for shade.

Tim

Sullivan lake is in Washington

Last time I was there they just put in 2 new fire pits. I think there might be some potable water at the adjacent forest service camp ground. Later in the day you’ll get shade from the tall trees on the west side of the strip. Earlier in the day you’ll probably have to sit under your wing if it starts to get too hot. Or go jump in the lake for a swim.

Sullivan Lake is definitely on my list this summer. Great old photo Rob.

qmdv wrote:Plan is to do the Arlington WA fly in mid August then on to Sullivan Lake and who knows where to next. What is Sullivan lake like. Any fresh water available, shade trees or use the wing for shade.

Tim

Arlington fly-in is held in early July.

Sullivan lake is awesome, I enjoyed camping there several years ago.

Early July it might still be a little wet and by mid August it might be very smoky. Our window of eastern WA summer ops seems to be getting narrower the last couple years.

My advise would be to skip Arlington and do your trip a week or two later so you can take in the Concrete WA fly-in instead. MUCH more enjoyable IMHO.

Sullivan has drinking water available in the campground to the east. I’ve never spent the night there, but have been told it can get rowdier/louder there on weekend nights. It was dead midday on a weekday when I went. I’d choose Cavanaugh Bay airport as it has a nice restaurant on water, courtesy cars to head into the small town nearby, showers, etc. Really well done and catering to pilots.

Halestorm wrote:

Arlington fly-in is held in early July.

What is this https://www.arlingtonflyin.org/

Lets meet on your way up and do some flying.
Arlington airshow is good (I know it used to be better , but is still a good one).

Arlington has been in July for 50 years, this year it will be in August. Don't know why, they just changed it this year.

Dale Moul wrote:Arlington has been in July for 50 years, this year it will be in August. Don't know why, they just changed it this year.

I think theyre trying to imlrove attendance by avoiding any scheduling conflicts with Oshkosh.

qmdv wrote:

Halestorm wrote:

Arlington fly-in is held in early July.

What is this https://www.arlingtonflyin.org/

On no! Unexpected change! All the old pilots will freak out...

Tim, up until the moment I just hit "Submit" I had a rule that I wasn't going to tell anybody how cool Sullivan Lake is for a destination. Keep out the riff raff and all that. First visit was coming back from a Wisconsin fly-in last summer. After a long, hot, bumpy leg from Montana we were happy to roll out of the plane and literally fall into the lake about 50 yards away. Awesome.

Runway was in great shape (thanks to all the volunteer work), fire pits & wood & grates, clean tables, fresh water and latrines. Really, really well-done. Signs say bring bear-proof containers. Camp grounds on either side of the runway and everyone was well-behaved and quiet.

We were the only plane there and that was really cool, but I honestly can't imagine a better place to get a group of planes & pilots together. A gem.

CJ

(And yes, it's Washington.)

3pointCJ wrote:

(And yes, it's Washington.)

Missed by a few miles

Cavanaugh Bay and Tieton state are two other lovely spots.

As noted above, the forest fire season has gotten worse and lasts longer nowadays. Two years ago Sullivan Lake was in the middle of a fire fighting TFR for most of the summer. When it's good, it's very good there, but when it's bad it's horrible. Be sure to check the latest airspace restrictions and look at the smoke plume on Aviation Weather Center's graphic forecast (check the PCPN/WX tab) before flying in there. I don't like coming home from airplane camping smelling like I was in a bar full of smokers for 3 days.

jcadwell wrote:Sullivan has drinking water available in the campground to the east. I’ve never spent the night there, but have been told it can get rowdier/louder there on weekend nights. It was dead midday on a weekday when I went. I’d choose Cavanaugh Bay airport as it has a nice restaurant on water, courtesy cars to head into the small town nearby, showers, etc. Really well done and catering to pilots.

+1

Cavanaugh Bay is a jewel of Washington PNW fly in camping. Sullivan Lake is a great day trip from CB (maybe 15-20 minutes) but I greatly prefer to accomadations at CB.

At SL land away from the lake, take off towards it. Significant slope. Also the 100-200' furthest from the lake may be too mushy or bumpy to use but with the slope and drag from the grass you don't need it.

Flyhound wrote:As noted above, the forest fire season has gotten worse and lasts longer nowadays. Two years ago Sullivan Lake was in the middle of a fire fighting TFR for most of the summer. When it's good, it's very good there, but when it's bad it's horrible. Be sure to check the latest airspace restrictions and look at the smoke plume on Aviation Weather Center's graphic forecast (check the PCPN/WX tab) before flying in there. I don't like coming home from airplane camping smelling like I was in a bar full of smokers for 3 days.

Considering the absurd amount of snow we are getting so late in the season with temps more that 20 degrees below normal (Where's the global warming I've been promised and have been hoping for??) I bet we have a light fire season this year. Hope so.

I prefer Cavanaugh Bay for camping due to the creature comforts mentioned above, but if you are seeking a quiet and peaceful place to camp Sullivan Lake is ideal. There is no cell phone service there (at least with AT+T). Cavanugh Bay has Wifi, Cell service, refrigerator, microwave, courtesy car, freshly made coffee (Thanks Allen), and a bigger community of people camping there for a weekend. Northern Idaho is awesome. The fire season is something that needs planning for now. Let's hope and pray this season is not as bad as previous summers for fires. It has just been ridiculous the last few years.

Dale Moul wrote:Arlington has been in July for 50 years, this year it will be in August. Don't know why, they just changed it this year.

Must be so pilots will get some MVFR time in smoke & haze.