GRAVELLY VALLEY, CA

This is a nice and easy destination from the San Francisco Bay Area.  The runway has adequate length and is in pretty good shape as of June, 2008.

The north end of the runway has primitive camping, and the south end of the runway has access to a Forest Service campground with picnic tables, firepits and rest rooms.   The fishing isn't bad in Lake Pillsbury if you have an inflatable.  Shore fishing sometimes pays off, but don't count on it for dinner. 

The 4 wheelers and ATV'rs have been spinning doughnuts on the runway, but it is still ok for landing.  My aircraft is a C-205 and we usually go up there with another C-172 and a Mooney.  The ground clearance is tight for the Mooney but it has not been a problem.

The runway slopes uphill to the North and the local lore suggests landing to the North, and take off to the South.  There is plenty of room here, so I always land according to the winds.

It is a good idea to fly the runway, as there are a lot of target shooters in the area and they seem to congregate at the North end of the runway.  I think it is a good idea to let them know you are in the area and hopefully they figure out that an aircraft is setting up to land. 

 It is a great place for a week-end camping trip if you don't mind the other users.  Find another spot if you want isolation.