The nearly 360-degree view from Waterrock Knob stretches the eyes over the heart of the Southern Highlands - including . Its not right off the side after the knob and its NOT.. And its very very difficult and could take hours. 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. The final radar contact was at 6,100 feet and about 1 mile from the crash site. That was my co-worker who cleaned it up! Down that trail about 100 feet, youll be able to see the plane in the distance down the hill. . People have absolutely no respect. It would be nice to get that garbage off of the ground. Have you hiked at Waterrock? Again, this area is full of little trails or paths and steep drops. I hung onto his leash with one hand, and used my free hand to grab tree trunks along the trail. A moderately . Both occupants were killed. This trail is paved but very steep! Seriously makes me hope there's truth in the super natural. After traversing a few other trails, visitors will come upon the wreckage of a Cessna 414A which crashed in 1983. At the top of Waterrock Knob, you will get a great view of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The plane could have made it over the mountain if it had just been about 150 feet higher. Hiking down the mountainside to the crash was surreal. Certainly, it is a stark reminder of how powerless we really are in the face of nature. You will be walking through the quiet woods then all of a sudden the crash appears through the trees. Man discovers 35-year-old plane wreckage on Appalachian Trail Waterrock Knob: Waterrock Knob is one of my favorite hikes and it's always one that I recommend to visitors. Guest columnist: You can love Jesus and strippers at the same time. Beautiful sunset, viewed from the Waterrock Knob parking lot upon returning after the hike. Everything but the engines still remains at the crash site. Be sure to also check out these other top destinations in the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina: This post may contain affiliate links. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. After a few hours of homework, I glanced out the window. People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. The path is moderately difficult with roots and downed trees and muddy patches to negotiate. Accident Cessna 414A Chancellor N6623C, 24 Nov 1983 - Aviation Safety 2023 Marcus and Jill's Happy Trails. Debris is scattered everywhere in about a 20 to 30 foot radius. The Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. Hike to Smoky Mountains Plane Crash via Waterrock Knob fornotifications regarding new blog posts, travel destinations, photography updates and newly available art. Remembering the 72 passengers who lost their lives in 1967 airplane wreck. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway to mile marker 451.2 into the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center located inSylva, NC to begin the hike to the crash site. Why did the plane remain? You also could like hiking at Deep Creek. And as a hiker, I love a challenging hike thanks for sharing. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. Ask me how someday? Maybe the Labor Day weekend was causing us to think about work instead of focusing on a true adventure. For us, this happens on most weekends. WATERROCK KNOB - 83 Photos & 20 Reviews - Yelp Abandoned Plane Crash Remains from 1983 - YouTube Last year the door and seats where stolen off the plane. Are you talking about the plane crash site? I asked. Waterrock Knob has the highest elevation on the Parkway. Waterrock Knob [Suggest Edits] 10 votes. 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? They would never reach their destination, and the aftermath of the crash has lied deep in the mountains of North Carolina ever since. A mountain dog in his element! If you look around youll see bits of wreckage spread around the area as well. Print/PDF map. Hike this trail for another .5 mile and you will then reach the top of Browning Knob. We all know that North Carolina has much to offer; however, it's home to only one known plane crash site. The trail begins as a paved path then turns into a rocky dirt trail. A moderately difficult two-mile round trip hike from the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and trailhead in Sylva, North Carolina lead to the wreckage. Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. Waterrock Knob - Blue Ridge Parkway The hike to the plane crash is about a 2.5 mile round-trip hike, first up to Waterrock Knob and then across the ridge to Browning Knob. Some North Carolina Cherokee have been keeping their history alive for decades with a single play. GPS coordinates:352737.2N 830827.0W. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. That crash occurred just 11 years after this one, and was one of the most tragic plane crashes in North Carolina. from Mike Schoeffel. It was an attempt to keep his bearings, which the FAA referred to as up and down altitude excursions. It was fantastic to have breakfast on the porch, sit by the fire in the evenings, and soak in the jacuzzi at night while watching glow bugs. I have an awesome cinematic hiking vlog here for you guys! The visitor center building with restrooms in the building on the left, This sign points out the start of the trail. In my opinion the trail is intermediate because its unmaintained so you are hiking over a lot of tree roots and it requires more awareness to keep on track. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Fair weather clouds against a pale blue sky and the Great Smoky Mountains waiting for me. Epic Waterrock Knob Trail near Maggie Valley Complete Guide Located at Milepost 451.2, it is the sixteenth highest mountain in the East. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Shockingly enough, you can even make a day of it! 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%). The planes tail completely detached; laying against a tree trunk about 15 feet away. The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. The drive to Waterrock Knob along the Blue Ridge Parkway is arguably one of the most beautiful and scenic drives in the country. Waterrock Knob is a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thank you! Unfortunately, there has been several tragic airplane crashes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Your email address will not be published. Graffiti covered the white paint. It is the highest peak in the Plott Balsams and is the 16th-highest mountain in the Eastern United States. Waterrock Knob , Maggie Valley - Inspirock I wrote about it here in 2015. All we know is that two men in 1983 were suddenly cast into a situation that was out of their control. The path was straight down the side of the mountain; winding around moss covered trees and through what seemed like mile high pines overhead. Tammy arrived after Patrick; she was standing behind the plane on the slope. Waterrock Knob - Visit NC Smokies 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. The hike is about 2 miles long. The unpredictable weather off a mountain range estimated to sit about 6000 feet above sea level, can change drastically in a short time. There are also restrooms by the visitor center which is your last chance to go before you start hiking. PDF Plott Balsam Trail Hike to Plane Crash - Ashley Hackshaw / Lil Blue Boo Odins ears perked up. The vision of the plane crash is now fixed as part of my memory. The visitor center is located at 5,820 feet and the summit itself . I think about the moments before, during and after the crash. We did this short hike a few weeks ago..You really should take the side trip to Browning Knob and see the old plane crash..Only an extra mile or so. Just before the summit, you will see the path to the plane crash on the left. Love North Carolina? Where can I hike to a cave in North Carolina? Id still like to find some old newspaper articles on the crash if they existand know more about the people who died here. Spinosaurus might still be there close somewhere. The elevation change is said to be equivalent to about 68 flights of stairs. Hiking to the Waterrock Knob plane crash is one of the most interesting hikes I have ever been on. You take the Waterrock Knob Trail, he said. An old airplane engine forms an unusual cairn atop this Moroccan peak. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and a partner of other affiliate programs including Booking.com, CJ and Tripster, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases via links found in this article. We found out how you can hike to an abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina, and have all the necessary details below. This nearly 40-year-old plane wreckage is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Ill admit this Sunday, we were trying to talk ourselves out of hiking. To find the plane crash, you hike to a clearing called Waterrock Knob, and take the trail to the left that leads to Browning Knob. How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob. Can Sacred Places Impact Our Energy and Our Mood? Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Hey, I said. I recommend going to the summit first to check out the views, then going to the plane crash after. I was ahead of Marcus with Odin on his leash in the lead. WATERROCK KNOB (Maggie Valley) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE - Tripadvisor - 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. Weather was likely a factor in this plane crash nearly 40 years ago in North Carolina, where the wreckage remains (photo by Justin Colburn/Alamy stock). There are very few small plane crash sites in North Carolina, and you can find one of them hidden deep in the woods on a trail that runs along a ridge. I heard it might even be getting removed soon because of it. Take a left turn into the forest . Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. If you get the chance, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is an amazing place to visit. We were there last fall and someone had spray painted the plane. Youll eventually come to Browning Knob.. The sun shining down on the North Carolina mountains is truly a sight we will never forget! Once at Browning Knob (big obvious clearing on the top of a mountain), there's another trail off to the left, which leads down to the crashed Cessna 414. The moderately difficult two-mile hike begins at the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and trailhead in Sylva, North Carolina. Its definitely sad but interesting to see! 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. Once we arrived to the parking lot, we spent some time at the visitor center, were met with beautiful fall foliage, and eventually began our trek towards Waterrock Knob and the Cessna 414 crash. The plane was inbound from Chicago on November 24th, 1983. After you take in the scenery at the top, 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. The mountain is a popular destination with tourists and amateur hikers, as it is easily accessible from the parkway. The walk from Waterrock Knob to Browning Knob was approximately 0.7 miles. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. In my blog I never try and say whether you should or shouldnt do a hike. After reaching the Waterrock Knob lookout, you will see a trail to the left. We were nervous we were not going to get a good view of sunset due to the haze and overcast skies, but by the time we arrived back to the parking lot the haze had cleared and we were able to view one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. These knobs will give you a spectacular view of the Blueridge Mountains. Other than graffiti and parts that have probably been moved around from spectators over the years, the wreckage remains nestled on the Southern Appalachian mountain range between Asheville and Cherokee, North Carolina. January 11, 2022 | Julie Roland Realty | Route 64 Blog, Route 64 Journal. If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. When you visit the crash site, you can tell that the airplane almost cleared the mountain. Theres a large free parking area, visitor center for more information on the area, and some beautiful views here so its worth checking out. My legs and arms were feeling slightly fatigued, but I was still looking forward to the climb. 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 . Keep reading to learn how to hike to an airplane crash in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park via the Waterrock Knob trail. It is often used but remains off the beaten path. If the above hike to an abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina whets your appetite for adventure, read on! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Read Also: 5 abandoned places in the Smokies you didnt know existed. Skip to main content. Waterrock Knob is one of my favorite hikes and its always one that I recommend to visitors. The nicely paved trail eventually transitions into a fairly strenuous trail with many stairs leading the way. How to Get There. Youll have to be real careful, He said. Located in the Smokey Mountains just outside of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, this hike is challenging due to its steep ascents and occasional scrambling over fallen trees and thick roots. Beware. Although we were dealing with low visibility, we knew we had reached Browning Knob once the forest cleared and we came to another lookout. 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. But please, be careful! Hi Ace, it seems you mightve mixed up what Ive written because I never said its on the right after the knob. Hike the relatively easy Waterrock Knob Trail for 0.9 miles: mostly uphill and paved, with impressive views. Plane Crash Site from 1983, Waterrock Knob, North Carolina, USA Waterrock Knob on Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina - RomanticAsheville Located just 18 miles from the southern end of the Parkway and farther away from larger cities, it has a more remote and quiet feel to it. 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. After hiking up to Waterrock Knob, I overheard a Ranger standing in front of a narrow path to the left. Its getting harder and harder to find safe abandoned places in North Carolina, so wed highly recommend you take advantage of the opportunity while you still can. Where Is the Browning Knob Plane Crash? Finding the Lost Wreckage Waterrock Knob is located at milepost 451.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and features the last hiking trail along the parkway before reaching the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. . Additionally, the FAA found a blood alcohol level of .04%. All rights reserved. OP watch out for dinos!! After navigating rocky outcrops, a steady up and downhill path, and another patch of overgrowth, the trail became thick and somewhat confusing. Would you hike to this abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina? Her voice had an upward inflection. Hiking to a Plane Crash in the Smoky Mountains via Waterrock and https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. Yes. The pilot was also determined to have been impaired, with a blood alcohol content of 0.04%. I alway come prepared, he said. The white aluminum caught my attention; nestled in a downward section of the mountain in a quiet place among trees and other plant life. Looking at the satellite view it appears the hike to the plane crash is about a 3-mile round-trip hike, first up to Waterrock Knob and then across the ridge to . We don't recommend it, but you can reach the site by hiking to Waterrock Knob's summit (0.5 miles) and then to the top of Browning Knob (0.5 miles). GPS coordinates: 3527'37.2N 8308'27.0W. Waterrock Knob Plane Crash NC - downsouthliving.org Jerry Mattox, [footer_backtotop href="#top" text="Return to Top"] He looked tired but exuded deep satisfaction. Take this trail. All we could hear was brushing of leaves and distant howls from the wind. There were some trail markers tied to trees, but they werent as reliable because some had been blown away in storms. Both occupants were killed. The remains of a doomed Antarctic plane, buried beneath layers of ice and snow, await those willing to do a bit of digging. Upon reaching the parking lot, you will see the visitor center, which is open from 10 AM - 5 PM from mid-April through October. The possibility the pilots decision making ability on a cloudy night could have also been impaired by alcohol and other factors we just dont know. The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles, most of which are right here in North Carolina. As interesting as the crash site can be, it was important for us to remember the two pilots who lost their lives in this very spot and treat the area with respect. If youre planning to make this a weekend trip, I recommend searching on Booking.com to choose a place. Here are some of the best state parks in North Carolina: The real question iswhat state park shouldnt you visit in North Carolina? It was heading to Sylva, just 11 miles from the crash site, but unfortunately they did not make it. To learn more, clickhere. North Carolina Hiking: Cessna 414 Plane Crash & Sunset at Waterrock Knob It can be easy to get hurt or lost while hiking to the airplane crash site. This Plane Crash Hike In North Carolina Is Truly Unique - OnlyInYourState They also found the frozen bodies of the two victims who had sadly died on impact. *subject to availability **03/27/2020 . This is very interesting and eerie at the same time. A couple of homemade signs nailed to trees a short ways down the path offer tips and warnings for proceeding ahead. When we arrived to the crash site, the scene was completely somber and serene. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This shed some light on the mystery. - Cause: Read more in my about section. Martin was flying his secretary, Centa Jarrett, from Illinois to visit her children who lived in Bryson City with their father. Its not something you would climb in or on, but it is interesting to see and take some photos of.