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. After responding to our questions, and reviewing his GPS stats, he confirmed the trek down to the plane wreckage took him about 30 minutes. I dont think a flight plan was filedwhich means the pilot may have just been flying by sight and ducking under clouds. Skip to main content. The tension on the leash propelled me forward and seemed to make the climb easier for me. Recommendations: We highly recommend a hike to Waterrock Knob to visitors in the Maggie Valley/Waynesville area. The Ranger was giving directions to two guys in shorts and tee-shirts. There are 41 sparks and recreation areas across the state, and each one seems to be more beautiful than the next. Harold Blackwood photo. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information. Seriously makes me hope there's truth in the super natural. Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Theres a large free parking area, visitor center for more information on the area, and some beautiful views here so its worth checking out. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. Shortly after taking the detour to the left (approximately 0.3 miles from Browning Knob) we saw the plane crash in the distance, admidst the trees and haze. They also found the frozen bodies of the two victims who had sadly died on impact. The planes tail completely detached; laying against a tree trunk about 15 feet away. People are going there and tagging it with spray paint and being disrespectful as many people in the states are. The trail starts at the last path on the left before the summit. His sweat covered hair was tied back in a ponytail. To the left, I thought, this must be the way to Browning Knob! Overall, this is one of the interesting and rewarding hikes that I have been on in North Carolina.My thoughts are with the families of the two lives that were lost in the crash. He was just a little low.. Hiking down the mountainside to the crash was surreal. Thank you for reading! Would you hike to this abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina? It would be nice to get that garbage off of the ground. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. The crash occurred in 1983 as a result of poor weather and alcohol. That crash occurred just 11 years after this one, and was one of the most tragic plane crashes in North Carolina. I took some photos of the wreckage, and I have even more mental photos to share through written words. We said goodbye to our new friends, and began our adventure. Hike the relatively easy Waterrock Knob Trail for 0.9 miles: mostly uphill and paved, with impressive views. Now it's as worse as it's ever been. 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. Beware. For us, this happens on most weekends. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. You will hike to the beautiful Waterrock knob and Browning knob on your way to the plane crash site. Marcus and I were wandering around the fuselage like detectives at a crime scene. The nicely paved trail eventually transitions into a fairly strenuous trail with many stairs leading the way. We passed by the hiker, shoulder-to-shoulder, thanking him for his time, and we followed the path through the brush. When I reached the top of Waterrock Knob, under rather malicious-looking skies, a 60-year old man with . I heard it might even be getting removed soon because of it. I never knew that there are close to 54 plane crash sites located in the Smoky Mountains. For this portion of the trail, it is important to follow the yellow markers painted on the trees to make sure you stay on the correct trail. Maybe the Labor Day weekend was causing us to think about work instead of focusing on a true adventure. Finding the summit is easy as the trail turns towards . I think about how this section of the mountain range probably wasnt a trail at the time. The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. Jerry Mattox, [footer_backtotop href="#top" text="Return to Top"] 8 Best Things To Do In Charlotte North Carolina, Appalachian Trail Day Hike Essentials That You Need, Ultimate Guide to Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 5 Best Hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park, 7 Reasons Why I am Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail, Update: I Am Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2022, Appalachian Approach Trail: Everything You Need to Know, How to Visit Chichen Itza: Ultimate Guide for Travelers, Hiking Twenty Mile Loop Trail: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Waterrock Knob About 35 minutes away, you can get to the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Waterrock Knob. The path is moderately difficult with roots and downed trees and muddy patches to negotiate. Print/PDF map. You can find a series of cave trails in North Carolina, including Boones Cave Park whichs great for children, Torys Den Cave which will hustle you to a tiny cave steeped in local history, and Hibriten Cave which requires the work of a GPS to locate the tiny wonder. The outdoor adventures found along the parkway include a multitude of trails, visitor centers, and stunning overlooks. This shed some light on the mystery. These cookies do not store any personal information. Read more in my about section. The last recorded elevation of the airplane was about 6,000 ft. Debris is scattered everywhere in about a 20 to 30 foot radius. You probably dont need to reminder, but keep in mind it is a site where people died so keep it respectful when you visit. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The Mixa' hike Waterrock Knob. Our human curiosity about the story, and the image of a plane lasting 36 years out in the elements is what drew us to this place one late summer day in September. She brushed her hand across the. This hike is definitely worth it! OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 10/10 recommend it as a place to stay, and, wherever you choose, Maggie Valley is a great base for your adventures. And as a hiker, I love a challenging hike thanks for sharing. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. We took some time along the hike back to really appreciate the beauty of the forest and fall foliage. Patrick was imagining how the plane first crashed into the mountain; analyzing the trees above, and how the position of the plane on the ground seemed to reveal clues about the crash. Before hiking to the airplane crash, it is important to prepare. One of Marcus catch phrases is theres always time for a hike! So being Labor Day weekend, we could not put off this adventure. We made the slow climb up the side of the mountain. This one is a fairly easy trail in terms of skill. Shuckstack Fire Tower is an old fire observatory tower in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park! Ernest Martin, founder and owner of Martin Tool Works, Inc., was the he in question. On November 24, 1983, two pilots began their flight from DuPage Airport in West Chicago headed to Jackson County Airport, North Carolina. Its not very far: I wouldnt ever go alone to the crash, or too close to dusk. I was the first person to arrive at this Crash Site in 1983. Due to these panoramic views, Waterrock Knob has become one of the most popular locations to witness sunset or sunrise along the Blue Ridge Parkway. He looked at his daughter, she gets tired easily, so we dont go on long hikes anymore.. The plane was inbound from Chicago on November 24th, 1983. The hike is about 2 miles long. There is a visitor center at mile marker 451 so you can park and use the restroom before your hike. 74 Likes, TikTok video from smoky.mountain.soul (@smoky.mountain.soul): " Have you found the elusive "plane crash" hike in Western North Carolina? 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. Making a Composition Book Art Journal. How to Make a DIY Printing Press from a Panini Press. Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. The views are epic and sweeping: Tucked in the Great Smoky Mountains, Waterrock Knob Trail is your literal road to ruin. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. And, in the solitude of the trail embarrassed us once again. Waterrock Knob: Hike to plane crash site - See 321 traveler reviews, 262 candid photos, and great deals for Maggie Valley, NC, at Tripadvisor. The older man smiled wide and pulled a treat from his pocket. They also found the frozen bodies of the two victims who had sadly died on impact. Some North Carolina Cherokee have been keeping their history alive for decades with a single play. I stayed here and it was just awesome. Moderate 4.6 (1494) Blue Ridge Parkway. I was super interested. It can be easy to get hurt or lost while hiking to the airplane crash site. Two of the boys, probably her son and his friend, started howling. Yes. It was heading to Sylva, just 11 miles from the crash site, but unfortunately they did not make it. Waterrock Knob - Milepost 451.2. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! I smiled and turned in the other direction. And be prepared. When the weather turned low lying clouds and rain he began ducking the plane under the clouds. The probable cause of the crash was determined to be due to low visibility from low lying clouds and precipitation. It has a bit of wow factor yet its eerie all at once. These knobs will give you a spectacular view of the Blueridge Mountains. True! . Its a paved path and well signed so all you need to do is look out for it. He looked tired but exuded deep satisfaction. Fewer hikers decide to venture this far out. The visitor center is located at 5,820 feet and the summit itself . Well now I want to go back and rewatch that. The trail begins at the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and continues for a quarter mile up a well-marked, paved path to an observation point of the valley below. Can You Do Dollywood in One Day? By checking this, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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 Browning Knob. I used to hike to this as a teenager once every few months and the vandalism and theft has only really started in the past 3 years. The trail is obviously used often based on the wear but we didnt see anyone while we were hiking: Spraypainted yellow dots help to mark the trail. Maggie Valley, about 5 hours from Fayetteville. It begins as a paved trail, then moves to a dirt and rocky trail, and there are a few small sections with stairs. The hike continues for about .7 milesalong the ridge of the mountainbut with a lot of elevation change (the equivalent of about 68 flights of stairs!) Hey, I said. A visitors' center is located near its summit and a . To get here first drive to the visitor center at Waterrock Knob, (one of our favorite places to bring visitors too. Her voice had an upward inflection. All we could hear was brushing of leaves and distant howls from the wind. Wed love to hear about them! We talked about the dented metal and torn off debris; and tried to visualize what had happened. An old airplane engine forms an unusual cairn atop this Moroccan peak. Browning Knob is less traveled and isolated from other official National Park Service trails. An annual celebration of the region's successful elk reintroduction program. Make sure when you visit, however, that you take care to follow all safety precautions listed by the park in question. I hollered up the stairs to Marcus, come on, lets go on the hike!. A mountain dog in his element! Thank god someone cleaned up the graffiti. I recommend bringing lunch with you to enjoy at the top of Browning Knob. Once you are done enjoying the view from Browning Knob, be on the lookout for a small, unmarked trail to the left. John Gullion, Managing Editor at the Citizen Tribune, is a freelance contributor for TheSmokies.com LLC the parent company of TheSmokies.com and HeyOrlando.com. While these plane crashes are tragic, they can make for an enjoyable hike. Both occupants were killed. Beautiful sunset, viewed from the Waterrock Knob parking lot upon returning after the hike. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. Waterrock Knob is a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located at Milepost 451.2, it is the sixteenth highest mountain in the East. Both passengers aboard died as a result. The sun shining down on the North Carolina mountains is truly a sight we will never forget! Required fields are marked *. Hi Ace, it seems you mightve mixed up what Ive written because I never said its on the right after the knob. The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. 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. About 2 hours return depending on your pace. The elevation change is said to be equivalent to about 68 flights of stairs. The visitor center building with restrooms in the building on the left, This sign points out the start of the trail. It was an unspoken closeness she was expressing; after she and I had shared a few things we had in common with our lives. Both people on board died. First you have to climb up Waterrock Knob which is the highes. In fact, it is one of dozens of unsalvageable flying machines that crashed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and have been left where they came to rest. Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina? Take a left turn into the forest . It was quite an eerie sight! I created a visual picture of the place in my mind as he talked. GPS coordinates:352737.2N 830827.0W. Graffiti covered the white paint. Follow the yellow markers painted on the trees. Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 451.2: Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Park Store. My first thought was nah, its on the other side. Hiking to the Waterrock Knob plane crash is one of the most interesting hikes I have ever been on. The wreckage was uncovered by Civil Air Patrol members a week later near the summit of Waterrock Knob. It was an unmarked trail with thick overgrowth on either side. Its not too far to travel from my home in Toronto. What a good movie. The hike offers epic and sweeping views of the North Carolina mountains, including from one of the spurs, a glimpse of Ghost Town in Maggie Valley off in the distance. Odin pulled me up the rocky path with a spring in his four legs. Sample Page; ; Youll have to be real careful, He said. Jun 25, 2018. Read more about my story here. The pilot was also determined to have been impaired, with a blood alcohol content of 0.04%. Nature brings out the best in people. Unfortunately, we were still unable to witness any of the panoramic views we had heard about, but noticed another trail leading to the left, which lead to the Cessna 414 plane crash. . This is not a maintained path but there are plenty of forums online about how to . Certainly, it is a stark reminder of how powerless we really are in the face of nature. Headed over to the browning knob/plane crash site, this part of the trail wasn't to hard to follow with AllTrails map downloaded. This half mile trail climbs all the way to the peak. In November of 1983, a combination of poor weather and alcohol led to the crash of a small Cessna 414A plane, killing all on board. The walk from Waterrock Knob to Browning Knob was approximately 0.7 miles. Only a short detour off the beaten path of one of North Carolina's most notable sunset hikes, lies a Cessna 414 plane crash site full of eerie history. You will be walking through the quiet woods then all of a sudden the crash appears through the trees. Odin still had energy, which increased the challenge for me. Start at the Waterrock Visitor Center at Milepost 451.2 off the Blue Ridge Parkway. On November 24, 1983, a Cessna 414 was en route to the Jackson County Airport from Chicago when it crashed into the mountainside just before 6:00 pm. 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. However, by eight-years-old he wasnt getting free ride. Neither the pilot nor passenger survived. Will you be taking the hike? Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. This spray painted rock points the way. I wrote about it here in 2015. Living a simple, creative life in #smalltownusa Bryson City, NC. Lake proponents argued that turning Cades Cove into a body of water would promote tourism (photo by Patrick Jennings/stock.adobe.com), Land of Oz features an immersive experience based on the iconic story of the Wizard of Oz, including characters, the yellow brick road and a visit to Emerald City (photos and compilation by TheSmokies.com), Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. Ill admit this Sunday, we were trying to talk ourselves out of hiking. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. GPS coordinates: 3527'37.2N 8308'27.0W. Deep Gap Trail at Mt. The unpredictable weather off a mountain range estimated to sit about 6000 feet above sea level, can change drastically in a short time. January 11, 2022 | Julie Roland Realty | Route 64 Blog, Route 64 Journal. If you decide to go on this hike, you be challenged, rewarded and you will find a group of trail buddies along the way. Both occupants were killed. Marcus and I were wandering around the fuselage like detectives at a crime scene. A black smoke monster chased him away before he had the chance to look. How are you!, She responded, I never run into you outside of work., We asked about the crash. People have absolutely no respect. 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 . Its about two-hours round trip from here!. The two of them squatted down beside Odin. Here, you will see the third trail on your left. I created this little PDF with some very basic info thats easy to print off if you are thinkingabout hiking to the crashclick here or click the image below to download: Do you have any favorite hikes in the Smoky Mountains? Length 1.7 miElevation gain 692 ftRoute type Out & back. 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. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. Rethink that selfie. 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. I saw families with kids doing the trail while I was there and people with dogs I took my dog too. We said goodbye to Patrick and Tammy; telling them about a few places to visit during their stay. This trail is rocky, narrow . Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. It was an attempt to keep his bearings, which the FAA referred to as up and down altitude excursions. 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%). Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Most often these travelers offer an interesting departure from the quiet along the trail. But, its a wide trail with plenty of room to stop and catch your breath if you need to. Climbing up this mountain was quite a Hike and was a bigger chore than I realized it would be. Once you start at the visitor center, you will climb .5 miles up to the top of Waterrock Knob. 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. Last year the door and seats where stolen off the plane. 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 young guy said hed heard about the hike, but not this time. 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. Book your tickets online for Waterrock Knob, Maggie Valley: See 321 reviews, articles, and 262 photos of Waterrock Knob, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 12 attractions in Maggie Valley. The nearly 360-degree view from Waterrock Knob stretches the eyes over the heart of the Southern Highlands - including . 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. I have an awesome cinematic hiking vlog here for you guys! Top Hikes in Western North Carolina - The Blue Ridge Mountains Upload, share, download and embed your videos. Here are some of the best state parks in North Carolina: The real question iswhat state park shouldnt you visit in North Carolina? This popular trail goes to the Waterrock Knob summit. I hung onto his leash with one hand, and used my free hand to grab tree trunks along the trail. Photos (3,774) Directions. Just before reaching the top of the Knob, there is a trail to your left. This information is added by users of ASN. Because this hike is difficult, you will more than likely get hungry! Plane Crash Site from 1983, Waterrock Knob, North Carolina, USA. Follow this trail for half of a mile to reach Browning Knob. Stay at our historic Sixty-One Park Farmhouse located right in downtown! Just before you reach the last stretch of trail to the top, you should see a fairly obvious trail leading off to the left, marked with flagging tape. Copyright Lil Blue Boo 2023 | Privacy Policy, The Great Smoky Mountains and Western NC Hiking. I was getting Uncharted 1 vibes. 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). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I found it easier to follow the spray paint on trees and rocks to stay on the trail. There are also restrooms available and . The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by: After departure at 1417 cst, radar track showed the aircraft climbing to and maintaining 7,600 feet until about 1733 est and 28-30 miles north of the Knoxville VOR. OP watch out for dinos!! fornotifications regarding new blog posts, travel destinations, photography updates and newly available art. There are affiliate links included in this post. This short trail will lead you down to the site of the airplane crash. You wont be far from the visitors center, but with the thick canopy, its not a great place to be lost in the mountains. Of course, many people come to Waterrock Knob to also hike to a tragic plane crash site. I was ahead of Marcus with Odin on his leash in the lead. It is the highest peak in the Plott Balsams and is the 16th-highest mountain in the Eastern United States. She looked more like her dad than her Caucasian mother. After reaching the Waterrock Knob lookout, you will see a trail to the left. Its not something you would climb in or on, but it is interesting to see and take some photos of. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Shockingly enough, you can even make a day of it! In fact, he didnt file a flight plan as required in that situation. See All .
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