While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Unfortunately, since the internet has connected everyone. I created a visual picture of the place in my mind as he talked. 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.. This portion of the trail is also fairly difficult and is not recommended for novice hikers or lone hikers. No purchase necessary. Its a paved path and well signed so all you need to do is look out for it. There are affiliate links included in this post. Stay left.. Completely agree! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. They were drawn to our yellow lab, Odin. Make sure when you visit, however, that you take care to follow all safety precautions listed by the park in question. These knobs will give you a spectacular view of the Blueridge Mountains. Moderate 4.6 (1494) Blue Ridge Parkway. I was confused. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The plane could have made it over the mountain if it had just been about 150 feet higher. Much of the eight-seat Cessna 414A is still up there on the mountain. 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. When you visit the crash site, you can tell that the airplane almost cleared the mountain. 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. Perfect for escaping the crowds you sometimes find at other park locations! This short trail will lead you down to the site of the airplane crash. Once you are done enjoying the view from Browning Knob, be on the lookout for a small, unmarked trail to the left. As well as what happens when we take the majesty of flight for granted. I wrote about it here in 2015. The rest of the debris is slowly being reclaimed by the forest or has been carried off by visitors over the years. Earlier this month, Robert Hawkins, 66, discovered what he believes to be what remains of a 1979 plane crash in the Bald Knob area of the trail, near the three-county border of Amherst, Nelson and . We started early, only 3 other cars in lot. 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. You will find the crash site at latitude 35.46354, longitude -83.13207. The sun shining down on the North Carolina mountains is truly a sight we will never forget! People are going there and tagging it with spray paint and being disrespectful as many people in the states are. Id still like to find some old newspaper articles on the crash if they existand know more about the people who died here. Here on the mountain side, seats and wreckage were scattered all over the steep terrain. Patrick was imagining how the plane first crashed into the mountain; analyzing the trees above, and how the, Feeling the Energy at The Airport Mesa Vortex, A Trail of Luminaries through Old Town Albuquerque. 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 is a shame so many people can hike here but no one cares to restore the grounds and remove what isn't natural. To start the trail, you simply follow the hike to Waterrock Knob. Its not too far to travel from my home in Toronto. Pedestrian killed by car on Kingston Pike in Knoxville. Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left. Harold Blackwood photo. 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. 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. 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. It was an attempt to keep his bearings, which the FAA referred to as up and down altitude excursions. Especially for people that think its a hour hike People ruin a lot of stuff but the tagging doesnt seem to take away the fact its a plane way way way out in the woods. 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. Waterrock Knob: Hike to plane crash site - See 321 traveler reviews, 262 candid photos, and great deals for Maggie Valley, NC, at Tripadvisor. Due to the rugged terrain of the region, only the engines were salvageable. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful sunset, viewed from the Waterrock Knob parking lot upon returning after the hike. Its perfect for a one-and-done day out in the wilderness. After hiking up to Waterrock Knob, I overheard a Ranger standing in front of a narrow path to the left. We found out how you can hike to an abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina, and have all the necessary details below. Waterrock Knob is best known for the hiking trail to its summit. 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 would be nice to get that garbage off of the ground. 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. Waterrock Knob has the highest elevation on the Parkway. Guest columnist: You can love Jesus and strippers at the same time. After navigating rocky outcrops, a steady up and downhill path, and another patch of overgrowth, the trail became thick and somewhat confusing. 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. Photos (3,774) Directions. On November 24, 1983, two pilots began their flight from DuPage Airport in West Chicago headed to Jackson County Airport, North Carolina. When you start returning back down the trail from the summit, youll see the small plane crash trail on your right. You probably dont need to reminder, but keep in mind it is a site where people died so keep it respectful when you visit. This hike is definitely worth it! 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 we arrived to the crash site, the scene was completely somber and serene. The hike requires you to hike along the ridge of the mountain, maneuvering between trees, ground roots and boulders along the way. 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. I noticed it as a gap in the tall grass at first. Yes. The nearly 360-degree view from Waterrock Knob stretches the eyes over the heart of the Southern Highlands - including . The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. It can be easy to get hurt or lost while hiking to the airplane crash site. Its definitely sad but interesting to see! There is a visitor center at mile marker 451 so you can park and use the restroom before your hike. Located at Milepost 451.2, it features the last hiking trail along the Parkway as you travel toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After reaching the Waterrock Knob lookout, you will see a trail to the left. Martin had emigrated from Germany sometime after the war, building a company and a fortune in the Chicago area. People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. Odins ears perked up. General questions and FAM tours: [email protected]. You can use 'Waterrock Knob Visitor Center' in Google Maps to get to the parking area. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. He looked at his daughter, she gets tired easily, so we dont go on long hikes anymore.. Thats not very clearly markedThanks for trying to help with your big write up that didnt help much thanks. There is a shared bond in braving the elements and climbing to higher altitudes. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. An annual celebration of the region's successful elk reintroduction program. As it turned out, the plane could have made it over the mountain if it had been about 150 feet higher! Beware. Completely agree! I was getting Uncharted 1 vibes. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). It is often used but remains off the beaten path. Learn how your comment data is processed. It was quite a trek! Living a simple, creative life in #smalltownusa Bryson City, NC. Let us know in the comments. The path was straight down the side of the mountain; winding around moss covered trees and through what seemed like mile high pines overhead. Thats so crazy! Or perhaps in this case, maybe not quite close enough. Patrick and Tammy, two hikers from South Carolina, arrived at the wreckage just after us. Once you are off the main paved trail, it turns into more of an intermediate hike. Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina? Well now I want to go back and rewatch that. If they had only been flying a little bit higher, they probably would have reached their destination. Hes Siennas sloth and he comes on hikes with us . They also found the frozen bodies of the two victims who had sadly died on impact. The trail begins as a paved path then turns into a rocky dirt trail. 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. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Hiked to this wreck back in the 90s when I went to school at Western Carolina University. 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: These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The trail to the Browning Knob plane crash site is called Plott Balsams and is unofficial. Your email address will not be published. The Ranger was giving directions to two guys in shorts and tee-shirts. They would never reach their destination, and the aftermath of the crash has lied deep in the mountains of North Carolina ever since. 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 human remains, of course, were returned to the family, and the engines and anything else of value were salvaged. The bodies are gone and buried elsewhere. How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob. Waterrock Knob is a mountain peak in the U.S. state of North Carolina. This half mile trail climbs all the way to the peak. The aircraft then descended and crossed the snowbird VOR at about 6,700 feet. I recommend bringing lunch with you to enjoy at the top of Browning Knob. 2023 Marcus and Jill's Happy Trails. The pilot's blood alcohol level was at 0.04%. 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. The trail turns to dirt and continues for another quarter mile until Waterrock Knob. About 2 hours return depending on your pace. It was an unmarked trail with thick overgrowth on either side. You take the Waterrock Knob Trail, he said. Pilot error, poor weather conditions, and other fatal mistakes all played a role in the crash that claimed both lives on board. Now it's as worse as it's ever been. The young girl was about eight-years-old. The Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. The visitor center is located at 5,820 feet and the summit itself . Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. 20 reviews of Waterrock Knob "Waterrock Knob is part of the Plott Balsalms range. 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. Youll have to be real careful, He said. The path is clear and paved for the first bit before turning to dirt and leading up several stone staircases. This is a beautiful hike but the trail down to the plane crash is a bit strenuous! After traversing a few other trails, visitors will come upon the wreckage of a Cessna 414A which crashed in 1983. 601. The planes tail completely detached; laying against a tree trunk about 15 feet away. The hike is about 2 miles long. If youre not a confident hiker but still want to explore the area, maybe just do this trail to the summit. The beginning portion of the trail, although still steep, is paved in between stair sections.