Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. It was heading to Sylva, just 11 miles from the crash site, but unfortunately they did not make it. I just give you as much information as possible to make that decision for yourself and I hope that helps. Tragic story. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Its not right off the side after the knob and its NOT.. And its very very difficult and could take hours. 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. Areas; NC West and Mountains . The aircraft then descended and crossed the snowbird VOR at about 6,700 feet. Read more in my about section. Well now I want to go back and rewatch that. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. Everything but the engines still remains at the crash site. Yes. The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. I thought about our hikes 20 years ago, when our son our Alex was five-years-old. 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. It rises a total of 2,000 feet in just about three . When you visit the crash site, you can tell that the airplane almost cleared the mountain. I stayed here and it was just awesome. Moderate 4.6 (1494) Blue Ridge Parkway. Rethink that selfie. While this hike isnt long, it is difficult. Heres my full guide on how to hike to the Waterrock Knob plane crash with everything you need to know to plan your outing. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. 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. You can use Waterrock Knob Visitor Center in Google Maps to get to the parking area. Have you hiked to this plane crash before? Waterrock Knob is a mountain peak in the U.S. state of North Carolina. 10 Tips for Safe Travel: How to Travel the World Safely! 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. Just before the summit, you will see the path to the plane crash on the left. Today, we met people from California, South Carolina, and others from our own town. He had friends in the area and had flown into the Jackson County Airport before. What a good movie. No purchase necessary. They also found the frozen bodies of the two victims who had sadly died on impact. Seriously makes me hope there's truth in the super natural. . 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. The elevation change is said to be equivalent to about 68 flights of stairs. 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. We talked about the dented metal and torn off debris; and tried to visualize what had happened. There were some trail markers tied to trees, but they werent as reliable because some had been blown away in storms. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Its about two-hours round trip from here!. Leave the crash site (and the trail) exactly as they were before your hike. 74 Likes, TikTok video from smoky.mountain.soul (@smoky.mountain.soul): " Have you found the elusive "plane crash" hike in Western North Carolina? Start at the Waterrock Visitor Center at Milepost 451.2 off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left. In addition to that, hed been drinking a little the FAA reported a blood-alcohol level of .04 percent. Its not too far to travel from my home in Toronto. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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 . Once you are done enjoying the view from Browning Knob, be on the lookout for a 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. 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]. Thank you for reading! Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. Today the wreckage is still on Browning Knob and is a reminder of the many dangers that are present in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Plane Crash at Waterrock Knob. The trail itself is a very difficult seven-mile hike to the top of Grandfather Mountain. Thats not very clearly markedThanks for trying to help with your big write up that didnt help much thanks. Experience this 1.7-mile out-and-back trail near Sylva, North Carolina. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Due to the rugged terrain of the region, only the engines were salvageable. 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. I noticed it as a gap in the tall grass at first. It was a dark night and the final radar contact was at 6100 feet and 1 mild from the crash site. Neither the pilot nor passenger survived. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Seemed really disrespectful in such a somber place. A work colleague, Drew, had hooked me into conversation last week about the hike. The young girl was about eight-years-old. It clearly says its on the right if you are returning down the trail after the lookout. Then I looked at my pictures from a year out so ago and realized that indeed it has been cleaned. Its a sudden break from solitude to a social experience. Ive always wanted to visit North Carolina! Copyright 2017 CleanBlog | Theme by AirThemes. Headed over to the browning knob/plane crash site, this part of the trail wasn't to hard to follow with AllTrails map downloaded. Other than graffiti and parts that have probably been moved around from spectators over the years, the wreckage remains nestled on the Southern Appalachian mountain range between Asheville and Cherokee, North Carolina. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Unfortunately, since the internet has connected everyone. The bodies are gone and buried elsewhere. Ernest Martin, founder and owner of Martin Tool Works, Inc., was the he in question. Theres more details below so please read the full guide to see if its a good option for you. While these plane crashes are tragic, they can make for an enjoyable hike. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. If you are walking uphill as opposed to returning from the summit, it will be on the left. - 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. Didn't spend to much time up at Waterrock because of the wind. PLANE DOWN A plane crash that occurred in November 1983 is now the end-point for an off-beat hike that starts at Waterrock Knob, one of WNC's most popular outdoor destinations. 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%). It was time to head back. Haha good call. While we were gathered at the crash site more people started to come. There are no engines at the site as they were salvaged soon after the crash. Youll eventually come to Browning Knob.. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.4. Get more stories delivered right to your email. They were drawn to our yellow lab, Odin. The entire trek to the plane and back is a little more than two miles round trip. They also found the frozen bodies of the two victims who had sadly died on impact. This nearly 40-year-old plane wreckage is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. This portion of the trail is also fairly difficult and is not recommended for novice hikers or lone hikers. If youve never been to Bryson City you need to visit! The final radar contact with the plane was at 6,100 feet, approximately only one mile from the crash site. 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 . Probable cause: Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather. She brushed her hand across the. I recommend going to the summit first to check out the views, then going to the plane crash after. I created a visual picture of the place in my mind as he talked. My first thought was nah, its on the other side. Just keep an eye out for the small path. Its not very far: I wouldnt ever go alone to the crash, or too close to dusk. Odin pulled me up the rocky path with a spring in his four legs. You wont be far from the visitors center, but with the thick canopy, its not a great place to be lost in the mountains. On November 24, 1983, two pilots began their flight from DuPage Airport in West Chicago headed to Jackson County Airport, 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. Id like to know why the plane was left there. Odins ears perked up. If youre planning to make this a weekend trip, I recommend searching on Booking.com to choose a place. Two of the boys, probably her son and his friend, started howling. 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. People are going there and tagging it with spray paint and being disrespectful as many people in the states are. We all know that North Carolina has much to offer; however, it's home to only one known plane crash site. The last recorded elevation of the airplane was about 6,000 ft. Roots and rocks were everywhere along the earthy trail. Waterrock Knob is a must-stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Skip to main content. 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 . Waterrock Knob is a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 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 views are epic and sweeping: Although we were dealing with low visibility, we knew we had reached Browning Knob once the forest cleared and we came to another lookout. - Cause: People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. Both occupants were killed. How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob. Waterrock Knob - Milepost 451.2. Where can I hike to a cave in North Carolina? Down that trail about 100 feet, youll be able to see the plane in the distance down the hill. Once at Browning Knob (big obvious clearing on the top of a mountain), there's another trail off to the left, which leads down to the crashed Cessna 414. Martin was flying his secretary, Centa Jarrett, from Illinois to visit her children who lived in Bryson City with their father. I was confused. Marcus and I were wandering around the fuselage like detectives at a crime scene. The path is clear and paved for the first bit before turning to dirt and leading up several stone staircases. I was the first person to arrive at this Crash Site in 1983. I dont think a flight plan was filedwhich means the pilot may have just been flying by sight and ducking under clouds. Waterrock Knob has the highest elevation on the Parkway. The wreckage still lies in the quiet mountains where it landed, leaving a unique site for hikers. I was super interested. The young girl was about eight-years-old. 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. Waterrock Knob: Waterrock Knob is one of my favorite hikes and it's always one that I recommend to visitors. 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. I saw families with kids doing the trail while I was there and people with dogs I took my dog too. Remembering the 72 passengers who lost their lives in 1967 airplane wreck. Certainly, it is a stark reminder of how powerless we really are in the face of nature. Waterrock Knob plane crash is located in Sylvia, North Carolina, right outside of Maggie Valley. A moderately difficult two-mile round trip hike from the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and trailhead in Sylva, North Carolina lead to the wreckage. The Mixa' hike Waterrock Knob. This short trail will lead you down to the site of the airplane crash. Offer subject to change without notice. Note: When hiking to this area please be respectful of the site. This half mile trail climbs all the way to the peak. The trail turns to dirt and continues for another quarter mile until Waterrock Knob. 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. The crash lays there as it landed with frayed cords and broken windows serving as a reminder of the final journey. Recommendations: We highly recommend a hike to Waterrock Knob to visitors in the Maggie Valley/Waynesville area. I listened intently to his point by point directions. Where to park for the Waterrock Knob Plane Crash hike. Youre there, its right up ahead. 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. Thankfully, though, there are only a few places where you'll stumble upon airplane crash ruins in North Carolina. Not only is Waterrock Knob the trail you need to take to get to the airplane crash, it also offers amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. Patrick and Tammy, two hikers from South Carolina, arrived at the wreckage just after us. Hiking to the Waterrock Knob plane crash is one of the most interesting hikes I have ever been on. The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. They are pretending to be wolves, Allison confirmed. After responding to our questions, and reviewing his GPS stats, he confirmed the trek down to the plane wreckage took him about 30 minutes. Beware. There are the remnants of an old Cessna plane that crashed there many years ago that you can hike to. There were several up and down altitude excursions. The airplane never reached its destination and the two people on board were killed in the crash. 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. 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. After reaching the Waterrock Knob lookout, you will see a trail to the left. You will find the crash site at latitude 35.46354, longitude -83.13207. 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. The plane was inbound from Chicago on November 24th, 1983. It was quite an eerie sight! We said goodbye to Patrick and Tammy; telling them about a few places to visit during their stay. 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 trail starts at the last path on the left before the summit. There are also restrooms by the visitor center which is your last chance to go before you start hiking. The remains of a doomed Antarctic plane, buried beneath layers of ice and snow, await those willing to do a bit of digging. After hiking up to Waterrock Knob, I overheard a Ranger standing in front of a narrow path to the left. Follow the yellow markers painted on the trees. The Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. Climbing up this mountain was quite a Hike and was a bigger chore than I realized it would be. Maybe the Ranger was trying to discourage us from going on the unofficial hike. This site is monitored, so please do not remove any items from the crash. It would be nice to get that garbage off of the ground. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Photos (3,774) Directions. I never knew that there are close to 54 plane crash sites located in the Smoky Mountains. 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. Harold Blackwood photo. 10/10 recommend it as a place to stay, and, wherever you choose, Maggie Valley is a great base for your adventures. Located at Milepost 451.2, it features the last hiking trail along the Parkway as you travel toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. 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. 20 reviews of Waterrock Knob "Waterrock Knob is part of the Plott Balsalms range. The remains of a German plane still sit in the Norwegian wood where it crashed in 1942. Completely agree! This trail is rocky, narrow . 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. How to Get There. 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. And, a Hawaiian woman who I will most likely never see again, held my hand, as if she were one of my closest friends. CESSNA 414A airplane, which is an American light-pressured twin engine. 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. Additionally, the FAA found a blood alcohol level of .04%. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. Once you start at the visitor center, you will climb .5 miles up to the top of Waterrock Knob. Hey, I said. Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left. In fact, it is one of dozens of unsalvageable flying machines that crashed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and have been left where they came to rest. Its not something you would climb in or on, but it is interesting to see and take some photos of. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Discover our featured content. One wing torn off, the cockpit exposed, no windshield. 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. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. Located at 5,820 feet in elevation, Waterrock Knob is the Parkway's . As well as what happens when we take the majesty of flight for granted. Weather was likely a factor in this plane crash nearly 40 years ago in North Carolina, where the wreckage remains (photo by Justin Colburn/Alamy stock). The two men onboard didn't survive the crash. The probable cause of the crash was determined to be due to low visibility from low lying clouds and precipitation. Here's the general gist of how to get to the crash site: Hike the 0.5 mile path to Waterrock Knob, almost to the top. 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. If you are facing the visitor center, the trail follows an incline on the right. Thank god someone cleaned up the graffiti. All Rights Reserved, Marcus and Jill Thompson. Its not too far from where you live. He continued by describing how this plane had crashed sometime in the 70s off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina? All we know is that two men in 1983 were suddenly cast into a situation that was out of their control. 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. Haha.thats Sam! Hiking to such a place really gives one time to think and realize how fragile and fleeting life truly is. A couple of homemade signs nailed to trees a short ways down the path offer tips and warnings for proceeding ahead. Shuckstack Fire Tower is an old fire observatory tower in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park! Thank god someone cleaned up the graffiti. 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? 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 . Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a FREE PRINTABLE TRAVEL PLANNER! We passed by the hiker, shoulder-to-shoulder, thanking him for his time, and we followed the path through the brush. Id still like to find some old newspaper articles on the crash if they existand know more about the people who died here. If they had only been flying a little bit higher, they probably would have reached their destination. The white aluminum caught my attention; nestled in a downward section of the mountain in a quiet place among trees and other plant life. If youre not a confident hiker but still want to explore the area, maybe just do this trail to the summit. An old airplane engine forms an unusual cairn atop this Moroccan peak. Waterrock Knob About 35 minutes away, you can get to the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Waterrock Knob. Quiet reflection will force you to be in the moment with your thoughts. And, in the solitude of the trail embarrassed us once again. After navigating rocky outcrops, a steady up and downhill path, and another patch of overgrowth, the trail became thick and somewhat confusing. 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. Read Also: 5 abandoned places in the Smokies you didnt know existed. She looked more like her dad than her Caucasian mother. When you do meet new and interesting people, youll find its like waking up from a sound sleep. The vision of the plane crash is now fixed as part of my memory. Much of the Cessna 414 is still up there on the mountain. I found an article in the Mountaineer called. I found an article in the Mountaineer called How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob from Mike Schoeffel. And one of those trails holds the wreckage of a plane crash from more than 40 years ago. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It is often used but remains off the beaten path. Have you hiked at Waterrock?