Last year the door and seats where stolen off the plane. Its a very good idea to tell multiple people where you are heading, and its probably not a trail you should tackle alone. Copyright 2017 CleanBlog | Theme by AirThemes. Seemed really disrespectful in such a somber place. In addition to that, hed been drinking a little the FAA reported a blood-alcohol level of .04 percent. Let us know in the comments. We were there last fall and someone had spray painted the plane. While these plane crashes are tragic, they can make for an enjoyable hike. This is not a maintained path but there are plenty of forums online about how to . And you just stay left. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. While we were gathered at the crash site more people started to come. 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. 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. The human remains, of course, were returned to the family, and the engines and anything else of value were salvaged. Completely agree! The hike requires you to hike along the ridge of the mountain, maneuvering between trees, ground roots and boulders along the way. 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. This hike is definitely worth it! The plane could have made it over the mountain if it had just been about 150 feet higher. Just before the summit, you will see the path to the plane crash on the left. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Unfortunately, since the internet has connected everyone. It can be easy to get hurt or lost while hiking to the airplane crash site. 601. 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 . Sylva, North Carolina. 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. The nearly 360-degree view from Waterrock Knob stretches the eyes over the heart of the Southern Highlands - including . 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. It was quite an eerie sight! It was an attempt to keep his bearings, which the FAA referred to as up and down altitude excursions. Please feel free to subscribe below fornotifications regarding new blog posts, travel destinations, photography updates and newly available art. The latest music videos, short movies, tv shows, funny and extreme videos. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Our drive to Waterrock Knob along the parkway began with sunny skies, but quickly transitioned into an eerie, but mystical, hazy day with fog and clouds sweeping between the mountains as we increased in elevation. It rises a total of 2,000 feet in just about three . 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. The Browning Knob lookout is beautiful and you will be able to see the parking lot where you started. Hiking to the airplane crash on Waterrock Knob will remind you that life is precious. Spinosaurus might still be there close somewhere. 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. What a good movie. 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. Take this trail. Say hi to the doggy, she called her granddaughter with a wave of her hand. The rest of the debris is slowly being reclaimed by the forest or has been carried off by visitors over the years. They also found the frozen bodies of the two victims who had sadly died on impact. 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. Experience this 1.7-mile out-and-back trail near Sylva, North Carolina. He was right on course, the Civil Air Patrol Major explained to a Chicago newspaper in the winter of 1983. 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. Love North Carolina? Jerry Mattox, [footer_backtotop href="#top" text="Return to Top"] Jun 25, 2018. Address: Waterrock Knob, North Carolina 28779, USA Hike the relatively easy Waterrock Knob Trail for 0.9 miles: mostly uphill and paved, with impressive views. Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. Hiked to this wreck back in the 90s when I went to school at Western Carolina University. Odins ears perked up. Upon reaching the parking lot, you will see the visitor center, which is open from 10 AM - 5 PM from mid-April through October. True! That was my co-worker who cleaned it up! Take a left turn into the forest . Print/PDF map. About halfway up though, the trail transitions to a dirt trail with rock steps. 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. A mountain dog in his element! The remains of a German plane still sit in the Norwegian wood where it crashed in 1942. The walk from Waterrock Knob to Browning Knob was approximately 0.7 miles. Some North Carolina Cherokee have been keeping their history alive for decades with a single play. 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. Length 1.7 miElevation gain 692 ftRoute type Out & back. Make sure you leave your thoughts in the comments, especially if you know of other crashed planes hiding in the wilderness of North Carolina. Patrick and Tammy, two hikers from South Carolina, arrived at the wreckage just after us. Today, we met people from California, South Carolina, and others from our own town. Completely agree! You said in your writing of finding plane. Shuckstack Fire Tower is an old fire observatory tower in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park! . Additionally, the FAA found a blood alcohol level of .04%. 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 Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. Both passengers aboard died as a result. I recommend going to the summit first to check out the views, then going to the plane crash after. The last recorded elevation of the airplane was about 6,000 ft. People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. By checking this, you agree to our Privacy Policy. The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Why did the plane remain? An ideal spot for watching sunrise and sunsets across the rugged mountains, Waterrock Knob Visitor Center sits at almost 6,000 feet elevation. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Id like to know why the plane was left there. The probable cause of the crash was determined to be due to low visibility from low lying clouds and precipitation. An annual celebration of the region's successful elk reintroduction program. Read more in my about section. Wires clustered through exposed metal. We took some time along the hike back to really appreciate the beauty of the forest and fall foliage. 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. The two of them squatted down beside Odin. You can un-subscribe at any time. 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. 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 trail turns to dirt and continues for another quarter mile until Waterrock Knob. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. 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. 20 reviews of Waterrock Knob "Waterrock Knob is part of the Plott Balsalms range. Head down that trail about 100 feet and you should see the plane in the distance down the hill. 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. He had friends in the area and had flown into the Jackson County Airport before. Most often these travelers offer an interesting departure from the quiet along the trail. How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. They are pretending to be wolves, Allison confirmed. Where To Swim At Jordan Lake, NC Complete Beach Hopping Guide, Glamping In North Carolina Heres How To Plan Your Off The Grid Adventure, Heres Why You Gotta Visit The Worlds Largest Strawberry Building In NC. Before hiking to the airplane crash, it is important to prepare. North Carolina Hiking: Cessna 414 Plane Crash & Sunset at Waterrock Knob. In fact, he didnt file a flight plan as required in that situation. Beware. Glad we saw the same thing. Theres more details below so please read the full guide to see if its a good option for you. I was the first person to arrive at this Crash Site in 1983. Thank you! All rights reserved. If you look around youll see bits of wreckage spread around the area as well. I help women with chronic illnesses develop the confidence to travel the world solo! The path is moderately difficult with roots and downed trees and muddy patches to negotiate. It was a CESSNA 414A airplane, which is an American light-pressured twin engine. He looked at his daughter, she gets tired easily, so we dont go on long hikes anymore.. It was an unspoken closeness she was expressing; after she and I had shared a few things we had in common with our lives. Its not something you would climb in or on, but it is interesting to see and take some photos of. Learn how your comment data is processed. Oh the main graffiti tag is coming off tomorrow. After traversing a few other trails, visitors will come upon the wreckage of a Cessna 414A which crashed in 1983. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. Make sure when you visit, however, that you take care to follow all safety precautions listed by the park in question. A work colleague, Drew, had hooked me into conversation last week about the hike. 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. Once you reach Browning Knob, you should see another unmarked trail to the left. The remains of the plane are still scattered along the hillside making it a super neat place to explore and . The young girl was about eight-years-old. The older man smiled wide and pulled a treat from his pocket. And it appears to have had some holes kicked into it as well. Two of the boys, probably her son and his friend, started howlinglike wild prey from further up the trail . Waterrock Knob is a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. All Rights Reserved, Marcus and Jill Thompson. It looks so eerie and such a unique hike. If youre looking for a hike with a view, wed recommend catching the sunset on Green Knob, or perhaps hiking Looking Glass Rock for the mountaintop views. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. 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. I love to hike! One of Marcus catch phrases is theres always time for a hike! So being Labor Day weekend, we could not put off this adventure. There are also restrooms available and . Much of the eight-seat Cessna 414A is still up there on the mountain. Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. This spray painted rock points the way. There are some days when you really get the itch to go on a hike. I found an article in the Mountaineer called. The two of them squatted down beside Odin. The views are epic and sweeping: There were some trail markers tied to trees, but they werent as reliable because some had been blown away in storms. Now it's 100% covered with graffiti. At that moment, a backpacker made his way towards us; as if he were coming from the other direction on Browning Knob Trail. 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. Later we learn there is a hike to a plane crash that can be reach from Waterrock Knob Trail. However, on that fateful day, he was apparently unaware or unconcerned by the weather awaiting him. We said goodbye to Patrick and Tammy; telling them about a few places to visit during their stay. There are affiliate links included in this post. Fort Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Sylva, North Carolina. How could that be, you ask? Top Hikes in Western North Carolina - The Blue Ridge Mountains Upload, share, download and embed your videos. 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. This is very interesting and eerie at the same time. The hike is about 2 miles long. 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. It can be muddy and slippery if its been raining, so just take your time as you walk over the tree roots. . Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. The remains of a doomed Antarctic plane, buried beneath layers of ice and snow, await those willing to do a bit of digging. The main reason we stopped was to walk to the plane crash site, about 2.5 miles off the main trail. 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. After navigating rocky outcrops, a steady up and downhill path, and another patch of overgrowth, the trail became thick and somewhat confusing. This is a beautiful hike but the trail down to the plane crash is a bit strenuous! Plane Crash at Waterrock Knob. Waterrock Knob is a must-stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Required fields are marked *. After making eye-contact with her, I recognized it was Allison from work. The airplane never reached its destination and the two people on board were killed in the crash. As it turned out, the plane could have made it over the mountain if it had been about 150 feet higher! https://www.baaa-acro.com/sites/default/files/2020-03/N6623C.pdf, http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=6623C, http://videotarts.com/video/6GrSrJC0NAk/abandoned-airplane-in-the-middle-of-the-woods.html, https://www.lilblueboo.com/2018/08/hiking-to-a-plane-crash-in-the-smoky-mountains-via-waterrock-and-browning-knobs.html, Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency], Updated [Time, Operator, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative], Updated [Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]. If you plan to visit, it's recommended to hike with a partner or let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return, as there are many unmarked side trails, difficult terrain, and steep drops along the way. The path is clear and paved for the first bit before turning to dirt and leading up several stone staircases. Waterrock Knob is best known for the hiking trail to its summit. Theres a large free parking area, visitor center for more information on the area, and some beautiful views here so its worth checking out. 10 Picturesque Trails In North Carolina That Are Perfect For Winter Hiking, Everyone In North Carolina Should See Whats Inside The Gates Of This Abandoned Theme Park, Most People Dont Know North Carolina Has A Fairy Trail And Its Positively Magical, The Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail In North Carolina Takes You From Water To The Mountaintop And Back, The North Carolina State Park Where You Can Hike Across A Stone Bridge, A Metal Bridge, And A Wooden Bridge Is A Grand Adventure, It Doesnt Get Much Creepier Than This Abandoned School Hidden In North Carolina, Theres A Covered Bridge Trail In North Carolina And Its Everything Youve Ever Dreamed Of, This Abandoned Speedway In North Carolina Once Hosted The Best Races In NASCAR History. January 11, 2022 | Julie Roland Realty | Route 64 Blog, Route 64 Journal. When you start returning back down the trail from the summit, youll see the small plane crash trail on your right. After responding to our questions, and reviewing his GPS stats, he confirmed the trek down to the plane wreckage took him about 30 minutes. Aside from Harrison Ford jumping off a dam waterfall, the most iconic scene from the 1993 film, The Fugitive, . It is the highest peak in the Plott Balsams and is the 16th-highest mountain in the Eastern United States. Your pictures were fabulous! The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. Here on the mountain side, seats and wreckage were scattered all over the steep terrain. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. Headed over to the browning knob/plane crash site, this part of the trail wasn't to hard to follow with AllTrails map downloaded. Because this hike is difficult, you will more than likely get hungry! The trail starts at the last path on the left before the summit. Both occupants lost their lives in the crash, so it is important to be respectful of the crash site when visiting. Two of the boys, probably her son and his friend, started howling. Or have you already been out to see it before? Hey, I said. Watch premium and official videos free online. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. Can Sacred Places Impact Our Energy and Our Mood? We all know that North Carolina has much to offer; however, it's home to only one known plane crash site. Ask me how someday? Just keep an eye out for the small path. If you choose to click on them and make a purchase, I may earn a small fee at no additional cost to you. Of course, many people come to Waterrock Knob to also hike to a tragic plane crash site. The trail to the Browning Knob plane crash site is called Plott Balsams and is unofficial. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. To get here first drive to the visitor center at Waterrock Knob, (one of our favorite places to bring visitors too. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, Paper Botanicals With Kate Croghan Alarcn, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, The Frozen Banana Stands of Balboa Island, The Paratethys Sea Was the Largest Lake in Earths History, How Communities Are Uncovering Untold Black Histories, The Medieval Thieves Who Used Cats, Apes, and Turtles as Accomplices, https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/waterrock-knob-trail. Once you are done enjoying the view from Browning Knob, be on the lookout for a small, unmarked trail to the left. The final radar contact was at 6,100 feet and about 1 mile from the crash site. Two people died in this crash. It can be easy to get lost or miss the trail that leads to the crash site. Browning Knob is less traveled and isolated from other official National Park Service trails. 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. Odin still had energy, which increased the challenge for me. Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina? Have you ever been to this crash site before? 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. GPS coordinates: 3527'37.2N 8308'27.0W. Waterrock Knob: Waterrock Knob is one of my favorite hikes and it's always one that I recommend to visitors. This popular trail goes to the Waterrock Knob summit. 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). The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. These cookies do not store any personal information. And be prepared. The final radar contact with the plane was at 6,100 feet, approximately only one mile from the crash site. The path was straight down the side of the mountain; winding around moss covered trees and through what seemed like mile high pines overhead. Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left. 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. At least, this was his recollection. I recommend bringing lunch with you to enjoy at the top of Browning Knob. Another blond haired woman with a baseball cap and a group of grade school aged kids were heading towards us. Neither the passenger nor the pilot survived, and the cause of the crash is said to have been a combination of poor visibility and a 0.04 . Roots and rocks were everywhere along the earthy trail. The nicely paved trail eventually transitions into a fairly strenuous trail with many stairs leading the way. Waterrock Knob is a mountain peak in the U.S. state of North Carolina. This shed some light on the mystery. Tragic story. Certainly, it is a stark reminder of how powerless we really are in the face of nature. 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 trail begins as a paved path then turns into a rocky dirt trail. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. I think he and his parents were Hawaiian. Due to the rugged terrain of the region, only the engines were salvageable. Shame how some ruin it for everyone. You wont be far from the visitors center, but with the thick canopy, its not a great place to be lost in the mountains. Its definitely sad but interesting to see! Quiet reflection will force you to be in the moment with your thoughts. However, by eight-years-old he wasnt getting free ride. I know its been a minute since you posted, but my husband and I hiked this last week and I am sad to report that it has been re-tagged. The two men onboard didn't survive the crash. The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. Have you hiked to this plane crash before? 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. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Much of the eight-seat Cessna 414A is still up there on the mountain. 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? 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. Did you see the plane crash site? The first half of the hike is straight down the ridge and then you have to hike back up the spine of the connecting knobs. What! In fact, it is one of dozens of unsalvageable flying machines that crashed in the Great . This half mile trail climbs all the way to the peak. The tension on the leash propelled me forward and seemed to make the climb easier for me. 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. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.4. 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. Note: When hiking to this area please be respectful of the site.

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