SULLIVAN LAKE STATE, WA

Nestled in beautiful country near several airports in northeast Washington and north Idaho, Sullivan Lake sits just a short distance west of Priest Lake.  A true recreational gem, where visitors can swim, fish, boat, and camp to their heart's content. A resort is nearby, and a well-appointed Forest Service Campground sits just beyond the fence. Pilots are welcome to camp on the airport itself and make use of the picnic tables along the west edge — a wonderful way to unwind and enjoy the outdoors.

The 1,900-foot turf strip slopes uphill to the north and runs a bit rough. Its most persistent challenge? Ground squirrels, whose burrowing efforts seem to outpace every attempt to fill the holes. Volunteers have made real headway keeping up with the little excavators, but pilots should still expect to find burrows on the surface. The field elevation of 2,614 feet combined with hot summers can produce significant density altitude conditions. Trees line the north threshold and both sides of the runway, and terrain rises quickly to the north as the canyon walls close in. Fortunately, the approach from the lake is clear, and departures over the water are relatively straightforward.

Wildlife graze on the runway regularly, and campers have been known to use the field as an impromptu baseball diamond. An overflight before landing is strongly recommended — use it to assess conditions, clear animals and people from the strip, and spot any burrows in your intended landing path. Wind indicators are positioned on the northwest and southeast edges of the runway. Avoid the extreme west edge at all costs; the picnic tables there will make for a very bad day. The airport is generally open June 1st through October 1st.