The visitor center building with restrooms in the building on the left, This sign points out the start of the trail. Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina? My son-in-law, grandson and I hiked up Waterrock Knob and followed the one mile plus trail to the site of a plane crash on the side of this mountain. You probably dont need to reminder, but keep in mind it is a site where people died so keep it respectful when you visit. If you get the chance, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is an amazing place to visit. While sad, this hike is definitely unique and interesting. Fort Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Sylva, North Carolina. If the above hike to an abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina whets your appetite for adventure, read on! We talked about the dented metal and torn off debris; and tried to visualize what had happened. How are you!, She responded, I never run into you outside of work., We asked about the crash. Print/PDF map. Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. Just before reaching the top of the Knob, there is a trail to your left. People are going there and tagging it with spray paint and being disrespectful as many people in the states are. Not only are the views spectacular but the flowers and wildlife are too: The sides of the trail were covered with butterflies when we went, so many it looked like the mountains were moving: Just as you get to the top of Waterrock Knob you will notice a small unmarked trail to the leftyou might even miss it if you werent looking for it. Recommendations: We highly recommend a hike to Waterrock Knob to visitors in the Maggie Valley/Waynesville area. 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 found an article in the Mountaineer called How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob from Mike Schoeffel. 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. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. 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. 601. The remains of a doomed Antarctic plane, buried beneath layers of ice and snow, await those willing to do a bit of digging. Now it's 100% covered with graffiti. That crash occurred just 11 years after this one, and was one of the most tragic plane crashes in North Carolina. This shed some light on the mystery. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. The pilot's blood alcohol level was at 0.04%. Hiking to the Waterrock Knob plane crash is one of the most interesting hikes I have ever been on. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 13 min to complete. Because this hike is difficult, you will more than likely get hungry! Waterrock Knob [Suggest Edits] 10 votes. It crashed a little before 6pm at about 6,000 feet. A mountain dog in his element! I saw families with kids doing the trail while I was there and people with dogs I took my dog too. Take a left turn into the forest . Hiking down the mountainside to the crash was surreal. At the top of Waterrock Knob, you will get a great view of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It was a plan that worked, until it didnt. Certainly, it is a stark reminder of how powerless we really are in the face of nature. Pilot error, poor weather conditions, and other fatal mistakes all played a role in the crash that claimed both lives on board. I just give you as much information as possible to make that decision for yourself and I hope that helps. It is equal parts morbid and fascinating. I couldnt find any engines at the site and after a little research it turns out that they were salvaged soon after the crash. Your email address will not be published. This nearly 40-year-old plane wreckage is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. After a few hours of homework, I glanced out the window. Thank you for sharing. *subject to availability **03/27/2020 . 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. Seriously makes me hope there's truth in the super natural. Beware. Unfortunately, there has been several tragic airplane crashes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Read more . Thank god someone cleaned up the graffiti. They are pretending to be wolves, Allison confirmed. Its a very good idea to tell multiple people where you are heading, and its probably not a trail you should tackle alone. You also could like hiking at Deep Creek. People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. Wed love to hear about them! Archive photos: Airplane crashes in the Smoky Mountains 1956-1997. The older man smiled wide and pulled a treat from his pocket. Thankfully, though, there are only a few places where you'll stumble upon airplane crash ruins in North Carolina. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. 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. The tension on the leash propelled me forward and seemed to make the climb easier for me. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. Jerry Mattox, [footer_backtotop href="#top" text="Return to Top"] 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. It is often used but remains off the beaten path. Keep reading to learn how to hike to an airplane crash in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park via the Waterrock Knob trail. Both occupants lost their lives in the crash, so it is important to be respectful of the crash site when visiting. We all know that North Carolina has much to offer; however, it's home to only one known plane crash site. 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. Waterrock Knob: Waterrock Knob is one of my favorite hikes and it's always one that I recommend to visitors. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Will you be taking the hike? It was an attempt to keep his bearings, which the FAA referred to as up and down altitude excursions. If you are interested in hiking to this airplane crash, you also will probably enjoy hiking to Shuckstack Fire Tower. I hung onto his leash with one hand, and used my free hand to grab tree trunks along the trail. 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. 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. I found it easier to follow the spray paint on trees and rocks to stay on the trail. The walk from Waterrock Knob to Browning Knob was approximately 0.7 miles. GPS coordinates:352737.2N 830827.0W. The final radar contact was at 6,100 feet and about 1 mile from the crash site. The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. 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. January 11, 2022 | Julie Roland Realty | Route 64 Blog, Route 64 Journal. And, in the solitude of the trail embarrassed us once again. 10/10 recommend it as a place to stay, and, wherever you choose, Maggie Valley is a great base for your adventures. Hiked 10/30 2nd time doing this trail and 2nd time doing the entire thing in the clouds!! Are you talking about the plane crash site? I asked. I noticed it as a gap in the tall grass at first. But please, be careful! 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! And some of the trees along the trail have been marked with yellow spray paint to make it easier. Later we learn there is a hike to a plane crash that can be reach from Waterrock Knob Trail. Thats not very clearly markedThanks for trying to help with your big write up that didnt help much thanks. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. This peak (6,292 feet) is the 16th highest mountain in the Eastern United States and the the 15th highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina . 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. The mountain is a popular destination with tourists and amateur hikers, as it is easily accessible from the parkway. All Rights Reserved, Marcus and Jill Thompson. Youre there, its right up ahead. The remains of a German plane still sit in the Norwegian wood where it crashed in 1942. Harold Blackwood photo. 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 . Two of the boys, probably her son and his friend, started howling. 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 are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. When we arrived to the crash site, the scene was completely somber and serene. Would you hike to this abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina? Upon reaching the parking lot, you will see the visitor center, which is open from 10 AM - 5 PM from mid-April through October. Thank you for reading! There are the remnants of an old Cessna plane that crashed there many years ago that you can hike to. A work colleague, Drew, had hooked me into conversation last week about the hike. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. Knowing that two lives were lost at the site, the vibe was pretty heavy. 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]. Youll have to be real careful, He said. No purchase necessary. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. It looks so eerie and such a unique hike. If you decide to go on this hike, you be challenged, rewarded and you will find a group of trail buddies along the way. The trail starts at the last path on the left before the summit. Say hi to the doggy, she called her granddaughter with a wave of her hand. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a FREE PRINTABLE TRAVEL PLANNER! Its not right off the side after the knob and its NOT.. And its very very difficult and could take hours. I think about the moments before, during and after the crash. Maggie Valley, about 5 hours from Fayetteville. About 2 hours return depending on your pace. Everything but the engines still remains at the crash site. There is a shared bond in braving the elements and climbing to higher altitudes. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Address: Waterrock Knob, North Carolina 28779, USA We said goodbye to Patrick and Tammy; telling them about a few places to visit during their stay. Read more about my story here. 0. It's far worse now than it ever was. Plane Crash Site from 1983, Waterrock Knob, North Carolina, USA. Due to the rugged terrain of the region, only the engines were salvageable. The elevation change is said to be equivalent to about 68 flights of stairs. The Mixa' hike Waterrock Knob. 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. The entire trek to the plane and back is a little more than two miles round trip. Odins ears perked up. Discover our featured content. 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%). Theres a large free parking area, visitor center for more information on the area, and some beautiful views here so its worth checking out. All we could hear was brushing of leaves and distant howls from the wind. While this hike isnt long, it is difficult. It was an unspoken closeness she was expressing; after she and I had shared a few things we had in common with our lives. The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles, most of which are right here in North Carolina. If you choose to click on them and make a purchase, I may earn a small fee at no additional cost to you. The Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. Martin likely would have made it the rest of the way without much incident, had he been a couple of hundred feet higher. After hiking up to Waterrock Knob, I overheard a Ranger standing in front of a narrow path to the left. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Waterrock Knob Plane Crash Heres A Step By Step Hiking Guide, these are my favorite beginner hiking shoes, I like to have a couple of these energy gels. To get here first drive to the visitor center at Waterrock Knob, (one of our favorite places to bring visitors too. Do you remember the terrifying crash of USAir Flight 1016 near Charlotte Douglas International Airport? When you visit the crash site, you can tell that the airplane almost cleared the mountain. Point to point with a paved section as well as a dirt and tree root based section. The unpredictable weather off a mountain range estimated to sit about 6000 feet above sea level, can change drastically in a short time. 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. 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 crash lays there as it landed with frayed cords and broken windows serving as a reminder of the final journey. I help women with chronic illnesses develop the confidence to travel the world solo! The human remains, of course, were returned to the family, and the engines and anything else of value were salvaged. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. The rest of the debris is slowly being reclaimed by the forest or has been carried off by visitors over the years. Did you see the plane crash site? The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. The plane slammed into the mountain, killing Martin and his passenger immediately. The trail begins as a paved path then turns into a rocky dirt trail. Download Millions Of Videos Online. 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. You said in your writing of finding plane. 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. 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. She brushed her hand across the soft whitish golden fur on Odins head without hesitation. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. And one of those trails holds the wreckage of a plane crash from more than 40 years ago. 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. It was heading to Sylva, just 11 miles from the crash site, but unfortunately they did not make it. ???? Seemed really disrespectful in such a somber place. 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? We were unfortunately unable to see much from the lookout due to the low lying clouds, but continued on towards our next destination, which was Browning Knob.