This shed some light on the mystery. Address: Waterrock Knob, North Carolina 28779, USA You will hike to the beautiful Waterrock knob and Browning knob on your way to the plane crash site. Thats so crazy! The thing about getting to any summit is that you gotta go uphill. An old airplane engine forms an unusual cairn atop this Moroccan peak. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. 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. The hike back to the parking lot was just as arduous as the hike to the crash site, and ended up being about a 2.5 mile hike round trip. It crashed a little before 6pm at about 6,000 feet. Just before reaching the top of the Knob, there is a trail to your left. Waterrock Knob - Wikipedia Again, this area is full of little trails or paths and steep drops. Heres my full guide on how to hike to the Waterrock Knob plane crash with everything you need to know to plan your outing. This site is monitored, so please do not remove any items from the crash. The path is moderately difficult with roots and downed trees and muddy patches to negotiate. A moderately difficult two-mile round trip hike from the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and trailhead in Sylva, North Carolina lead to the wreckage. Plane Crash at Waterrock Knob Andrew Plyler (Atlas Obscura User) This nearly 40-year-old plane wreckage is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. 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. 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 found an article in the Mountaineer called. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. The walk from Waterrock Knob to Browning Knob was approximately 0.7 miles. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. This trail is paved but very steep! While sad, this hike is definitely unique and interesting. I was confused. Neither the pilot nor passenger survived. A mountain dog in his element! Man discovers 35-year-old plane wreckage on Appalachian Trail Show 9 More Check-Ins May 29, 2018 Rob H. Amazing view I was able to share with my best friend . Waterrock Knob: Hike to a Mountain Top - Senior Travel Tales And Tips 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. Renovating a 1960s ranch house and an old train depot. I found it easier to follow the spray paint on trees and rocks to stay on the trail. There are some days when you really get the itch to go on a hike. It was a dark night and the final radar contact was at 6100 feet and 1 mild from the crash site. I was ahead of Marcus with Odin on his leash in the lead. The grandmother laughed and grabbed my arm. To start the trail, you simply follow the hike to Waterrock Knob. Deep & Dark Mammoth Cave: Like Navigating Another World, Woodfin Cascades: Best Kept Secret Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, Finding My Life Purpose and Passion in Happy Trails, Success Isnt About Money When Your Heart is in the Game. There are the remnants of an old Cessna plane that crashed there many years ago that you can hike to. At one point, I said something funny. My first thought after the second picture, Theresa falls up the stairs, Theresa falls down the stairs, The occupants died in the crash so that probably adds to that feeling as well, Info on the incident. 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. The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. Jun 25, 2018. To the left, I thought, this must be the way to Browning Knob! The Ranger was giving directions to two guys in shorts and tee-shirts. The views are epic and sweeping: We hiked to one of them recently: The wreckage of this particular plane crash has been sitting there for 35 years: The story goes that on November 24, 1983, a Cessna 414 was flying from West Chicago to the Jackson County Airport here in the NC mountains. While theres the obviously sad nature of why the plane is there to begin with, Im always interested in hikes that have some site, historical or otherwise, to see. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. This popular trail goes to the Waterrock Knob summit. Located at 5,820 feet in elevation, Waterrock Knob is the Parkway's . Graffiti covered the white paint. The plane slammed into the mountain, killing Martin and his passenger immediately. 2023 Marcus and Jill's Happy Trails. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Additionally, the FAA found a blood alcohol level of .04%. WATERROCK KNOB & BROWNING KNOB - A Walk In The Woods The final radar contact was at 6,100 feet and about 1 mile from the crash site. Seemed really disrespectful in such a somber place. Waterrock Knob plane crash is located in Sylvia, North Carolina, right outside of Maggie Valley. Shame how some ruin it for everyone. Headed over to the browning knob/plane crash site, this part of the trail wasn't to hard to follow with AllTrails map downloaded. It was an unmarked trail with thick overgrowth on either side. I was getting Uncharted 1 vibes. I wrote about it here in 2015. This blog post covers the hike to the Cessna 414 plane crash deep in the mountains of North Carolina and where to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A work colleague, Drew, had hooked me into conversation last week about the hike. I was touched by her ability to express herself in a way that most people dont. As sad as it is it would be interesting to see this in person especially a plane from the 80s! Both occupants lost their lives in the crash, so it is important to be respectful of the crash site when visiting. Seemed really disrespectful in such a somber place. Have you hiked to this plane crash before? 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. Hiking down the mountainside to the crash was surreal. Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. I asked the family if theyd been to the plane crash. There are no engines at the site as they were salvaged soon after the crash. This trail is rocky, narrow . Watch premium and official videos free online. Last year the door and seats where stolen off the plane. It would be nice to get that garbage off of the ground. This shed some light on the mystery. At the top of Waterrock Knob, you will get a great view of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The Fugitive Train Wreck - Sylva, North Carolina - Atlas Obscura 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. The trail itself is a very difficult seven-mile hike to the top of Grandfather Mountain. This is very interesting and eerie at the same time. I saw families with kids doing the trail while I was there and people with dogs I took my dog too. See All . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Check this box to receive emails from Journey to the Destination. The remains of the iconic train crash from the movie The Fugitive can still be found rusting along the Great Smoky Railroad. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. I think about the moments before, during and after the crash. Epic Waterrock Knob Trail near Maggie Valley Complete Guide This half mile trail climbs all the way to the peak. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Waterrock Knob Trail | Map, Guide - North Carolina | AllTrails Waterrock Knob is a mountain peak in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The entire trek to the plane and back is a little more than two miles round trip. Start at the Waterrock Visitor Center at Milepost 451.2 off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Marcus and I were wandering around the fuselage like detectives at a crime scene. 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. Hike to Smoky Mountains Plane Crash via Waterrock Knob If you get the chance, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is an amazing place to visit. The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. When we arrived to the crash site, the scene was completely somber and serene. Both occupants were killed. When the weather turned low lying clouds and rain he began ducking the plane under the clouds. Thats not very clearly markedThanks for trying to help with your big write up that didnt help much thanks. Thank you for reading this post on how to hike to an airplane crash via the Waterrock Knob trail. This one is a fairly easy trail in terms of skill. At least, this was his recollection. 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. The white aluminum caught my attention; nestled in a downward section of the mountain in a quiet place among trees and other plant life. Here, you will see the third trail on your left. It is often used but remains off the beaten path. Hiked 10/30 2nd time doing this trail and 2nd time doing the entire thing in the clouds!! The visitor center is located at 5,820 feet and the summit itself . This information is added by users of ASN. True! Jerry Mattox, [footer_backtotop href="#top" text="Return to Top"] These knobs will give you a spectacular view of the Blueridge Mountains. It clearly says its on the right if you are returning down the trail after the lookout. 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.. Upon reaching the parking lot, you will see the visitor center, which is open from 10 AM - 5 PM from mid-April through October. If you decide to go on this hike, you be challenged, rewarded and you will find a group of trail buddies along the way. Fort Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob, Sylva, North Carolina Theres no sign as its unmaintained, but when I did it there was an arrow spray painted on a rock. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Accident Cessna 414A Chancellor N6623C, 24 Nov 1983 - Aviation Safety But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Click here are a few of my favorite places near Bryson City. A visitors' center is located near its summit and a . Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. Browning Knob and Waterrock Knob | Map, Guide - Sylva, NC | AllTrails 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. The distance from the parking lot to the Waterrock Knob lookout is a 0.5 mile steep trek, and begins with a nice paved trail but does have some steep stairs along the way. 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. This portion of the trail is also fairly difficult and is not recommended for novice hikers or lone hikers. Since it is unmaintained, it might be worth asking at the visitor center for any current updates or safety tips for the time you are visiting. When you visit the crash site, you can tell that the airplane almost cleared the mountain. *subject to availability **03/27/2020 . Thank you for reading! 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? OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Packing the right day hike essentials is super important for your trip. How are you!, She responded, I never run into you outside of work., We asked about the crash. By checking this, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. CESSNA 414A airplane, which is an American light-pressured twin engine. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Climbing up this mountain was quite a Hike and was a bigger chore than I realized it would be. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.4. Here are some of the best places with cave hikes in North Carolina: Caves are perhaps one of the most fascinating and strange natural wonders out in the wild, especially because of how tempting they are to explore. My legs and arms were feeling slightly fatigued, but I was still looking forward to the climb. 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. This hike is definitely worth it! The plane was inbound from Chicago on November 24th, 1983. This nearly 40-year-old plane wreckage is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Note: When hiking to this area please be respectful of the site. Graffiti covered the white paint. Say hi to the doggy, she called her granddaughter with a wave of her hand. Where to park for the Waterrock Knob Plane Crash hike. Waterrock Knob - Milepost 451.2. Sadly, it is true. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Later we learn there is a hike to a plane crash that can be reach from Waterrock Knob Trail. To learn more, clickhere. I never knew that there are close to 54 plane crash sites located in the Smoky Mountains. The Plane Crash at Browning Knob - Marcus and Jill's Happy Trails Would you hike to this abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina? 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!) 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. Plane Crash at Waterrock Knob. 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%). You can use 'Waterrock Knob Visitor Center' in Google Maps to get to the parking area. Learn how your comment data is processed. The older man smiled wide and pulled a treat from his pocket. This leads down the mountainside for approximately 200 yards to reach the crash site. Browning Knob and a Plane Crash Site - Nancy East I help women with chronic illnesses develop the confidence to travel the world solo! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! I smiled and turned in the other direction. The bodies are gone and buried elsewhere. There is a visitor center at mile marker 451 so you can park and use the restroom before your hike. Waterrock Knob is a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Browning Knob - HD Carolina Waterrock Knob, Maggie Valley, North Carolina - Hiking Project It rises a total of 2,000 feet in just about three . - 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. Because this hike is difficult, you will more than likely get hungry! 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. I alway come prepared, he said. A highly-rated trail for hikers and explorers alike, the trail is two miles . Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. If you are spending some time in North Carolina or if you are driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking this trail will make a fantastic addition to your trip. 601. If they had only been flying a little bit higher, they probably would have reached their destination. Will you be taking the hike? Martin likely would have made it the rest of the way without much incident, had he been a couple of hundred feet higher. The wreckage still lies in the quiet mountains where it landed, leaving a unique site for hikers. 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