It is often used but remains off the beaten path. Hey, I said. Both occupants were killed. Keep reading to learn how to hike to an airplane crash in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park via the Waterrock Knob trail. Ask me how someday? Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina? Waterrock Knob is a mountain peak in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. If you are facing the visitor center, the trail follows an incline on the right. Living a simple, creative life in #smalltownusa Bryson City, NC. This spray painted rock points the way. It begins as a paved trail, then moves to a dirt and rocky trail, and there are a few small sections with stairs. If youre planning to make this a weekend trip, I recommend searching on Booking.com to choose a place. Waterrock Knob: Hike to a Mountain Top - Senior Travel Tales And Tips The nearly 360-degree view from Waterrock Knob stretches the eyes over the heart of the Southern Highlands - including . 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. Waterrock Knob, Maggie Valley, North Carolina - Hiking Project Its not something you would climb in or on, but it is interesting to see and take some photos of. Waterrock Knob is best known for the hiking trail to its summit. To the left, I thought, this must be the way to Browning Knob! It clearly says its on the right if you are returning down the trail after the lookout. It looks so eerie and such a unique hike. I asked the family if theyd been to the plane crash. There is a shared bond in braving the elements and climbing to higher altitudes. Photos (3,774) Directions. What are the most beautiful hikes in North Carolina? 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. People have absolutely no respect. His pack animal instinct was causing him to be on alert. Waterrock Knob is a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. A mountain dog in his element! Length 1.7 miElevation gain 692 ftRoute type Out & back. Where to park for the Waterrock Knob Plane Crash hike. Well now I want to go back and rewatch that. Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left. It can be easy to get lost or miss the trail that leads to the crash site. Aside from Harrison Ford jumping off a dam waterfall, the most iconic scene from the 1993 film, The Fugitive, . Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 451.2: Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Park Store. The Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. Id still like to find some old newspaper articles on the crash if they existand know more about the people who died here. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The hike requires you to hike along the ridge of the mountain, maneuvering between trees, ground roots and boulders along the way. And it appears to have had some holes kicked into it as well. Archive photos: Airplane crashes in the Smoky Mountains 1956-1997 . It was also pretty easy to follow the well worn path just by looking as well, but the spray painted markings definitely made it easier. There are affiliate links included in this post. 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. 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 human remains, of course, were returned to the family, and the engines and anything else of value were salvaged. At the top of Waterrock Knob, you will get a great view of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Top Hikes in Western North Carolina - The Blue Ridge Mountains Upload, share, download and embed your videos. We were so determined to complete a hike that wed carry him piggyback in shifts when he got tired. One wing torn off, the cockpit exposed, no windshield. 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. You can use Waterrock Knob Visitor Center in Google Maps to get to the parking area. Most often these travelers offer an interesting departure from the quiet along the trail. Haha good call. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Make sure you leave your thoughts in the comments, especially if you know of other crashed planes hiding in the wilderness of North Carolina. Didn't spend to much time up at Waterrock because of the wind. Glad we saw the same thing. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. 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. Hope you prayed for the departed. We passed by the hiker, shoulder-to-shoulder, thanking him for his time, and we followed the path through the brush. How are you!, She responded, I never run into you outside of work., We asked about the crash. . I never knew that there are close to 54 plane crash sites located in the Smoky Mountains. I saw families with kids doing the trail while I was there and people with dogs I took my dog too. 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 planes tail completely detached; laying against a tree trunk about 15 feet away. Being less than 10 miles from Maggie Valley, it is the closest hike and Visitors Center. By checking this, you agree to our Privacy Policy. While this hike isnt long, it is difficult. I dont think a flight plan was filedwhich means the pilot may have just been flying by sight and ducking under clouds. If you are interested in hiking to this airplane crash, you also will probably enjoy hiking to Shuckstack Fire Tower. My first thought was nah, its on the other side. How to Get There. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Waterrock Knob - Blue Ridge Parkway 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. 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? One of Marcus catch phrases is theres always time for a hike! So being Labor Day weekend, we could not put off this adventure. This shed some light on the mystery. Packing the right day hike essentials is super important for your trip. You probably dont need to reminder, but keep in mind it is a site where people died so keep it respectful when you visit. Its a very good idea to tell multiple people where you are heading, and its probably not a trail you should tackle alone. Before hiking to the airplane crash, it is important to prepare. After navigating rocky outcrops, a steady up and downhill path, and another patch of overgrowth, the trail became thick and somewhat confusing. There are the remnants of an old Cessna plane that crashed there many years ago that you can hike to. Say hi to the doggy, she called her granddaughter with a wave of her hand. About 2 hours return depending on your pace. Archive photos: Airplane crashes in the Smoky Mountains 1956-1997. 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. Head down that trail about 100 feet and you should see the plane in the distance down the hill. Then I looked at my pictures from a year out so ago and realized that indeed it has been cleaned. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! I smiled and turned in the other direction. Browning Knob and Waterrock Knob | Map, Guide - Sylva, NC | AllTrails The bodies are gone and buried elsewhere. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. And, in the solitude of the trail embarrassed us once again. Additionally, the FAA found a blood alcohol level of .04%. You take the Waterrock Knob Trail, he said. The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. Are you talking about the plane crash site? I asked. GPS coordinates: 3527'37.2N 8308'27.0W. The outdoor adventures found along the parkway include a multitude of trails, visitor centers, and stunning overlooks. Will you be taking the hike? It was quite an eerie sight! The visitor center is located at 5,820 feet and the summit itself . I usually describe this kind of place as Narnia: Its not the easiest hike, but very doable if you can climb over fallen trees and jump across some small mud pits: The canopy is pretty thick so the vegetation is mostly ferns, fungi and mosswhich I love: Theres a lot of photograph if you take your time: This looked like a waterfall of roots to me.a rootfall? The remains of the iconic train crash from the movie The Fugitive can still be found rusting along the Great Smoky Railroad. How could that be, you ask? Experience this 1.7-mile out-and-back trail near Sylva, North Carolina. Plane Crash at Waterrock Knob. Waterrock Knob Plane Crash NC - downsouthliving.org Odin still had energy, which increased the challenge for me. Browning Knob and Waterrock Knob | Map, Guide - AllTrails I noticed it as a gap in the tall grass at first. Download Millions Of Videos Online. I listened intently to his point by point directions. The path was straight down the side of the mountain; winding around moss covered trees and through what seemed like mile high pines overhead. 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 . She brushed her hand across the soft whitish golden fur on Odins head without hesitation. He looked tired but exuded deep satisfaction. CESSNA 414A airplane, which is an American light-pressured twin engine. Its perfect for a one-and-done day out in the wilderness. This is a beautiful hike but the trail down to the plane crash is a bit strenuous! I recommend going to the summit first to check out the views, then going to the plane crash after. They were drawn to our yellow lab, Odin. 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. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. If you follow that trail for a little bit you will see a tree with the following signs on it: Yes, there are warningsmake sure you tell someone where you are hiking just in case! As well as what happens when we take the majesty of flight for granted. 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. This Plane Crash Hike In North Carolina Is Truly Unique - OnlyInYourState This website uses cookies to improve your experience. They were drawn to our yellow lab, Odin. It was an unmarked trail with thick overgrowth on either side. Buffalo Creek Vacations: Sleep in a Caboose Where Buffalo Roam Browning Knob and a Plane Crash Site - Nancy East Or have you already been out to see it before? 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. The Browning Knob lookout is beautiful and you will be able to see the parking lot where you started. The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. We all know that North Carolina has much to offer; however, it's home to only one known plane crash site. 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. Thats not very clearly markedThanks for trying to help with your big write up that didnt help much thanks. Keep these hiking tips in mind: It is important to remember that the two men on the airplane died in the crash. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The terrain is fairly difficult with a change in elevation of about 600 feet. Look at a map before you go as it's a little tricky. 10 Tips for Safe Travel: How to Travel the World Safely! He had friends in the area and had flown into the Jackson County Airport before. 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!)