I visited this place on a motorcycle camping tour over 30 years ago and swore I'd return in my own plane someday. Well, it took a while, but I finally made it. The forest fire season was slow to start this year due to a blissfully wet spring, but summer has been hot and dry. There were only 2 fire-fighting TFRs along my route when I headed east for a night of camping, but 5 days later there were 7 TFRs nearby. That seems to be a bigger problem each year, so I'm glad I managed to camp for a night without smoke and poor visibility! This truly is a magical place!

My route:


Entering Steven's Pass in the Cascades


The terrain around the lake:


Maneuvering to land:


On the ground at 09S


The camping area has firepits and bear boxes for pilot/campers


Forest fire smoke on my way home from the Irving Peak Fire

And here's the video of my wee little adventure

Nice video Flyhound, I enjoyed it. I worked on the Colville National Forest at the Kettle Falls Ranger District from 1976 to 1980. Is the Sullivan Lake Ranger Station Still at the Lake?

I always wanted to visit the area too, but never made it up there.

Hey tcj: I never got far from my campsite, so I don't know if the ranger station is there or not. There is a Washington State Campground adjacent to the runway and campers over there came to watch takeoffs and landings. For someone not used to seeing airplanes away from large, paved strips that was probably an unexpected bonus of their camping trip. There was a group of Skywagon buddies camping there together and they invited me to join their campfire shenanigans the one night I stayed there. It was a great trip on many levels. I strongly encouragemaking a flight up there if you can.

Nice, Gary. Always wanted to visit Sullivan but never made it there while I was in the west.

Great trip report and video. That’s what it is all about—making a commitment to live the dream and finding a way to make it happen! Awesome job! Thank you for sharing!!!

Wow what a great looking strip. Perfect for camping while getting away from it all. Thanks for sharing.

Flyhound. Your trip report is excellent! Seeing it this morning started my day on a good note. And don't wait another 30 years.