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Of course, many people come to Waterrock Knob to also hike to a tragic plane crash site. There's a large free parking area, visitor center for more information on the area, and some beautiful views here so it's worth checking out. Be sure to also check out these other top destinations in the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina: This post may contain affiliate links. Waterrock Knob is a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 20 reviews of Waterrock Knob "Waterrock Knob is part of the Plott Balsalms range. This is not a maintained path but there are plenty of forums online about how to . The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. Its a good idea to have someone with you. . Tucked in the Great Smoky Mountains, Waterrock Knob Trail is your literal road to ruin. Finding the summit is easy as the trail turns towards . There are also restrooms available and . Can Sacred Places Impact Our Energy and Our Mood? go back to the arrow and follow the narrow path it points to about 1/2 mile to the site of a plane crash from the early 1970's. Fascinating. Not only is Waterrock Knob the trail you need to take to get to the airplane crash, it also offers amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. PLANE DOWN A plane crash that occurred in November 1983 is now the end-point for an off-beat hike that starts at Waterrock Knob, one of WNC's most popular outdoor destinations. I found the spray paint trail markings most helpful since some of the ties had been blown away in storms, When you come to this clearing, take the path left (this spray painted rock points the way) and you are very close to the crash. Its not very far: I wouldnt ever go alone to the crash, or too close to dusk. There are also restrooms by the visitor center which is your last chance to go before you start hiking. As it turned out, the plane could have made it over the mountain if it had been about 150 feet higher! There were several up and down altitude excursions. In 1983, this Cessna 414 was traveling from Chicago, IL to a small airport in western North Carolina. Point to point with a paved section as well as a dirt and tree root based section. Fort Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Sylva, North Carolina. from Mike Schoeffel. Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left. Sylva, North Carolina. Photos (3,774) Directions. You said in your writing of finding plane. Being less than 10 miles from Maggie Valley, it is the closest hike and Visitors Center. Renovating a 1960s ranch house and an old train depot. Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 451.2: Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Park Store. Click here are a few of my favorite places near Bryson City. Theres a large free parking area, visitor center for more information on the area, and some beautiful views here so its worth checking out. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. After a few hours of homework, I glanced out the window. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. Your pictures were fabulous! Length 1.7 miElevation gain 692 ftRoute type Out & back. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Some North Carolina Cherokee have been keeping their history alive for decades with a single play. Much of the eight-seat Cessna 414A is still up there on the mountain. Pilot error, poor weather conditions, and other fatal mistakes all played a role in the crash that claimed both lives on board. If you get the chance, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is an amazing place to visit. The final radar contact with the plane was at 6,100 feet, approximately only one mile from the crash site. Waterrock Knob is a must-stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway.Located at Milepost 451.2 (just 18 miles from the end of the Parkway), it features the last hiking trail along the Parkway as you travel toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.This peak (6,292 ft.) is the 16th highest mountain in the Eastern United States - and the 15th highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina over 6,000 feet. His pack animal instinct was causing him to be on alert. Thank you for sharing. There are 41 sparks and recreation areas across the state, and each one seems to be more beautiful than the next. Plane crash PARKING LOT Waterrock Knob Visitor Center Waterrock Knob Browning Knob 5719 ft 6292 ft 6240 ft Elevations: Waterrock knob parking lot to peak waterrock peak to Browning Knob Browning knob to plane crash .5 miles .7 miles .05 miles distances: The nicely paved trail eventually transitions into a fairly strenuous trail with many stairs leading the way. The trail itself is a very difficult seven-mile hike to the top of Grandfather Mountain. This nearly 40-year-old plane wreckage is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I couldnt find any engines at the site and after a little research it turns out that they were salvaged soon after the crash. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. The moderately difficult two-mile hike begins at the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and trailhead in Sylva, North Carolina. She brushed her hand across the soft whitish golden fur on Odins head without hesitation. Tragic story. A couple of homemade signs nailed to trees a short ways down the path offer tips and warnings for proceeding ahead. In order to reach the site of the airplane crash, you will need to start off on the Waterrock Knob trail located off of mile marker 451 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. However, on that fateful day, he was apparently unaware or unconcerned by the weather awaiting him. At the top of Waterrock Knob, you will get a great view of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Heres What You Should Know, 29 Best Restaurants in Pigeon Forge, Ranked [2023], Great Smoky Mountains National Park Entrance Fees, What You Should Know, Smoky Mountains in March: Events in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge [2023], A Simple Guide to Smoky Mountain Parking Passes, Park it Forward. Maggie Valley, about 5 hours from Fayetteville. Deep Gap Trail at Mt. You are at Browning Knob as soon as you start to see the views again: Once over to Browning Knob, youll notice another small unmarked trail to the left. When I can make the trip Ill definitely consider doing this hike, it seems like an interesting one I had no idea how dangerous the Smoky Mountains were for planes. This Guide Will Help You Decide, BREAKING: Gatlinburg SkyTrail at SkyLift Park is now open, Cades Cove Lake: The effort to turn the Cove into a body of water, Land of Oz in NC: What its like to visit the once-closed theme park, Is the Laurel Falls Hike Easy? Completely agree! on How to Hike to an Airplane Crash in the Great Smoky Mountains- Waterrock Knob, How to Hike to an Airplane Crash in the Great Smoky Mountains- Waterrock Knob. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Read Also: Elkmont ghost town: Ghost stories that will give you goosebumps. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. First you have to climb up Waterrock Knob which is the highes. The cause of the crash was determined to be a combination of weather conditions/poor visibility and alcohol (the pilots blood alcohol level was 0.04%). For us, this happens on most weekends. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. But the hike is definitley one of my favorites. Maybe the Ranger was trying to discourage us from going on the unofficial hike. All we know is that two men in 1983 were suddenly cast into a situation that was out of their control. In my blog I never try and say whether you should or shouldnt do a hike. Her voice had an upward inflection. Aside from Harrison Ford jumping off a dam waterfall, the most iconic scene from the 1993 film, The Fugitive, . Sample Page; ; Sadly, it is true. Id still like to find some old newspaper articles on the crash if they existand know more about the people who died here. Waterrock Knob plane crash is located in Sylvia, North Carolina, right outside of Maggie Valley. The older man smiled wide and pulled a treat from his pocket. Not only are the views spectacular but the flowers and wildlife are too: The sides of the trail were covered with butterflies when we went, so many it looked like the mountains were moving: Just as you get to the top of Waterrock Knob you will notice a small unmarked trail to the leftyou might even miss it if you werent looking for it. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We took some time along the hike back to really appreciate the beauty of the forest and fall foliage. For mountain views wed recommend Mount Mitchell, standing a whopping 6,684 feet above sea level that allows hikers to see up to 100 miles past the point. Show 9 More Check-Ins May 29, 2018 Rob H. Amazing view I was able to share with my best friend . Again, sweeping views of the mountains. The two of them squatted down beside Odin. Not only is Waterrock Knob the trail you need to take to get to the airplane crash, it also offers amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The final radar contact was at 6,100 feet and about 1 mile from the crash site. Wed love to hear about them! The grandmother laughed and grabbed my arm. Have you hiked at Waterrock? Both occupants were killed. I was super interested. I stayed here and it was just awesome. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. The rest of the debris is slowly being reclaimed by the forest or has been carried off by visitors over the years. We all know that North Carolina has much to offer; however, it's home to only one known plane crash site. . There are some days when you really get the itch to go on a hike. At least, this was his recollection. As Im getting older I dont do it as much as I should and your pictures helped me see things I dont see much of anymore. The remains of a doomed Antarctic plane, buried beneath layers of ice and snow, await those willing to do a bit of digging. THIS NEARLY 40-YEAR-OLD PLANE WRECKAGE is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina.A moderately difficult two-mile round trip hike from the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and trailhead in Sylva, North Carolina lead to the wreckage.. And, in the solitude of the trail embarrassed us once again. This trail is paved but very steep! Making a Composition Book Art Journal. How to Make a DIY Printing Press from a Panini Press. Later we learn there is a hike to a plane crash that can be reach from Waterrock Knob Trail. This peak (6,292 feet) is the 16th highest mountain in the Eastern United States and the the 15th highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina . If you follow that trail for a little bit you will see a tree with the following signs on it: Yes, there are warningsmake sure you tell someone where you are hiking just in case! And one of those trails holds the wreckage of a plane crash from more than 40 years ago. Two people died in this crash. Read Also: 5 abandoned places in the Smokies you didnt know existed. In fact, it is one of dozens of unsalvageable flying machines that crashed in the Great . The Blue Ridge Parkway reaches some of its highest points in the Waterrock Knob area, including Richland Balsam (highest point on the Parkway) and Waterrock Knob Visitor Center (highest visitor center on the Parkway). After traversing a few other trails, visitors will come upon the wreckage of a Cessna 414A which crashed in 1983. Where to park for the Waterrock Knob Plane Crash hike. I recommend going to the summit first to check out the views, then going to the plane crash after. It is definitely a unique hike, Although this is a site created by a tragic event, I really like sites like these abandoned buildings, vehicles, planes, etc., purely for the artistic side of them. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. - pay close attention to the ground about 50' from the top of Waterrock Knob and you'll see a faded blue arrow spray painted on a large, flat rock. I think the challenges with this hike are because you need to be more alert for markings to stick to the trail and because the terrain can be a little slippery, requiring a little more skill than walking a paved trail. Just before the summit, you will see the path to the plane crash on the left. . Ive always wanted to visit North Carolina! Recommendations: We highly recommend a hike to Waterrock Knob to visitors in the Maggie Valley/Waynesville area. You wont be far from the visitors center, but with the thick canopy, its not a great place to be lost in the mountains. From Waterrock Knob, which is named for the spring near the summit where hunters would refill their canteens, the trail is small, mostly unmarked and easily missed. This spray painted rock points the way. The plane was inbound from Chicago on November 24th, 1983. It was a dark night and the final radar contact was at 6100 feet and 1 mild from the crash site. To start the trail, you simply follow the hike to Waterrock Knob. Follow this trail for half of a mile to reach Browning Knob. True! Great eye! The conversation started with a thirty something tan-skinned guy with dark brown hair and brown eyes, and an older man with grey hair and the same color skin. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The shattered hull has proven a popular spot for graffiti. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Seriously makes me hope there's truth in the super natural. I dont think a flight plan was filedwhich means the pilot may have just been flying by sight and ducking under clouds. I was confused. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. You can use 'Waterrock Knob Visitor Center' in Google Maps to get to the parking area. As well as what happens when we take the majesty of flight for granted. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. The young guy said hed heard about the hike, but not this time. This popular trail goes to the Waterrock Knob summit. The nearly 360-degree view from Waterrock Knob stretches the eyes over the heart of the Southern Highlands - including . It is easy to take a wrong turn in the forest, so be sure to pay attention to the yellow markers on the trees leading the way along the trail. The Plane Crash Site near the Waterrock Knob Trail. The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. The remains of the plane are still scattered along the hillside making it a super neat place to explore and . If youve never been to Bryson City you need to visit! Plane Crash at Waterrock Knob. The plane slammed into the mountain, killing Martin and his passenger immediately. No purchase necessary. He looked at his daughter, she gets tired easily, so we dont go on long hikes anymore.. I alway come prepared, he said. Make sure when you visit, however, that you take care to follow all safety precautions listed by the park in question. It has a bit of wow factor yet its eerie all at once. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Fair weather clouds against a pale blue sky and the Great Smoky Mountains waiting for me. I hung onto his leash with one hand, and used my free hand to grab tree trunks along the trail. Its perfect for a one-and-done day out in the wilderness. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Id like to know why the plane was left there. My son-in-law, grandson and I hiked up Waterrock Knob and followed the one mile plus trail to the site of a plane crash on the side of this mountain. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If the above hike to an abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina whets your appetite for adventure, read on! See All . The bodies are gone and buried elsewhere. While this hike isnt long, it is difficult. Browning Knob is less traveled and isolated from other official National Park Service trails. Be sure to wear hiking boots because the trail is rocky, dont forget your reusable water bottle, and bring a map and compass in case you get lost. Jun 25, 2018. The young girl was about eight-years-old. The trail to the Browning Knob plane crash site is called Plott Balsams and is unofficial. The Mixa' hike Waterrock Knob. Mitchell State Park will take you along a rocky, windy path to the top of the mountain, and a hike to Paradise Falls will reward you with stunning, watery views of the hidden waterfall. Theres no sign as its unmaintained, but when I did it there was an arrow spray painted on a rock. Ernest Martin, founder and owner of Martin Tool Works, Inc., was the he in question. After crossing snowbird VOR the aircraft turned south and again there were altitude excursions. Dont be disrespectful, dont leave trash behind, dont graffiti the airplane, and dont take anything with you. How could that be, you ask? Your email address will not be published. I asked the family if theyd been to the plane crash. The aircraft then descended and crossed the snowbird VOR at about 6,700 feet. Both occupants were killed. I found an article in the Mountaineer called. He listened intently. The Waterrock Knob Plane Crash Heres A Step By Step Hiking Guide, these are my favorite beginner hiking shoes, I like to have a couple of these energy gels. The airplane never reached its destination and the two people on board were killed in the crash. The probable cause of the airplane crash was slight intoxication of the pilot, lack of experience flying in the mountains, and inclement weather that caused low visibility.