Walters Camp Airport (CN98) — Alpine, California
Nestled in the rugged terrain of Alpine County in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California, Walters Camp Airport (CN98) is a private-use general aviation airstrip serving the remote Walters Camp area east of the Bay Area. Located near the small unincorporated community of Alpine, this facility sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet above mean sea level, making it particularly well-suited for light aircraft operations in the region's characteristic clear-sky conditions.
CN98 is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration as a private-use landing facility. The airport features a single unpaved runway oriented to accommodate the prevailing wind patterns of the eastern Contra Costa and Alameda County corridor. The surrounding terrain is characterized by rolling oak-studded hills and open grasslands typical of the Sierra Nevada foothills, offering pilots both scenic approaches and practical utility for accessing this otherwise remote location.
Walters Camp Airport primarily serves private aircraft owners, ranchers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts who require direct access to Alpine and the surrounding wilderness areas. The facility is not served by commercial carriers and has no regularly scheduled passenger service. Pilots operating in and out of CN98 should be familiar with mountain flying procedures and local terrain features, including the proximity of higher terrain to the east toward the main Sierra Nevada range.
The airport is situated within a region of California that sees significant seasonal variation in weather. Summers are typically dry and hot, with excellent visibility, while winters can bring fog in the lower valleys and occasional precipitation that may affect unpaved runway conditions. Pilots planning operations at CN98 should obtain current weather information from the nearest official weather reporting stations and check NOTAM activity through the FAA's NOTAM system prior to flight.
For navigational reference, CN98 lies within the Oakland ARTCC airspace sector and falls under Class E airspace designations applicable to the surrounding region. Pilots should consult current sectional charts — specifically the San Francisco Sectional — for accurate frequency, airspace, and terrain information when planning flights to or from Walters Camp Airport.
The nearest major airport facilities offering fuel, maintenance, and instrument approaches include Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) approximately 25 miles to the northwest, which provides 100LL and Jet-A fuel, aircraft maintenance, and an FAA control tower during operational hours. Oakland International Airport (OAK), located roughly 40 miles to the west, serves as the nearest commercial service airport and is managed by the Port of Oakland, handling millions of passengers annually on carriers including Southwest, Alaska, and United Airlines.
Pilots departing CN98 heading toward the Bay Area may also utilize Meadowlark Airport in Livermore as an intermediate stop, while those requiring ground transport connections to the broader East Bay corridor can coordinate with services such as Direct Airport Shuttle operating out of Oakland International. The Clean Energy Oakland International Airport fueling facility at OAK provides alternative-fuel options for compatible aircraft, reflecting the region's ongoing commitment to sustainable aviation infrastructure.
Alpine County itself is one of California's least populous counties, with a population of fewer than 1,200 residents, making access by air a practical consideration for those conducting business or recreation in the area. The county seat of Markleeville is located approximately 20 miles southeast of the CN98 area, accessible via CA-89 and CA-4. The combination of low population density, open terrain, and proximity to wilderness recreation areas — including portions of the Eldorado National Forest and the Mokelumne Wilderness — makes Walters Camp Airport a strategically located private facility for the region.