Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 183; Flight Crew Type 105
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
Flight Crew Diverted
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
I was enroute to ZZZ1 from ZZZ; the flight was clear with no clouds and had flight following with Seattle Center. I was beginning to notice that the mountains were being obscure and heard Seattle Center talking to a Medavac flight with a PIREP that a wall of smoke from the ground to 12;000 ft with chop was reported and the pilot confirmed the conditions. I called Seattle Center to ask about ZZZ1 weather and it was report VFR 5+ miles. I climbed up to 10;500 ft to see if the visibility might improve but then I hit this wall of smoke that I just heard about. I was then about 5;000 ft AGL and I could not see the ground. I knew exactly where I was above the ground with the aircraft GPS and my EFB (FlyQ). I quickly notified Seattle Center of my situation and started a slow descent to see if I can see Highway 97. At about 3;000 ft AGL I see Highway 97. I told Seattle Center I know where I was and that I believe the visibility is no more than a mile but I have my bearings and request to divert to ZZZ2 as I know that area quite well. I kept Highway 97 off my left wing and made a bearing to the center line of Klamath Lake. Seattle Center kept in contact and ensure I had my bearings; which I had. Once mid section of Klamath Lake; I believe I had 2 - 3 mile visibility. Seattle Center hand me off to ZZZ2 Tower. I reported I was over [Landmark] and they told me to report 3 miles for Runway XX. I reported 3 miles north of Runway XX with approach lights in sight; ZZZ2 Tower reported that they could not see me but again cleared my to land. Landing was uneventful and on the numbers. NOTE: ZZZ2 was reporting VFR with 5+ miles but I don't think the Klamath Basin area had that kind of visibility. The smoke came in quick; a wall that was from the ground to at least 12;000 ft.
Pilot reported low visibility due to smoke enroute.