Hike this trail for another .5 mile and you will then reach the top of Browning Knob. Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes near Asheville (Craggy Gardens to Waterrock Knob) . Her voice had an upward inflection. I was the first person to arrive at this Crash Site in 1983. First you have to climb up Waterrock Knob which is the highes. Marcus and I were wandering around the fuselage like detectives at a crime scene. Just before the summit, you will see the path to the plane crash on the left. They would never reach their destination, and the aftermath of the crash has lied deep in the mountains of North Carolina ever since. Hiking down the mountainside to the crash was surreal. A highly-rated trail for hikers and explorers alike, the trail is two miles . There are some days when you really get the itch to go on a hike. Address: Waterrock Knob, North Carolina 28779, USA Your pictures were fabulous! There is a steep ascent and some of the trails are not well marked. If you get the chance, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is an amazing place to visit. The terrain is fairly difficult with a change in elevation of about 600 feet. One wing torn off, the cockpit exposed, no windshield. It looks so eerie and such a unique hike. Ive always wanted to visit North Carolina! Then I looked at my pictures from a year out so ago and realized that indeed it has been cleaned. All we could hear was brushing of leaves and distant howls from the wind. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. 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. The Mixa' hike Waterrock Knob. It was an unmarked trail with thick overgrowth on either side. The trail turns to dirt and continues for another quarter mile until Waterrock Knob. 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 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. They also found the frozen bodies of the two victims who had sadly died on impact. What! Sylva, North Carolina. Shockingly enough, you can even make a day of it! Seriously makes me hope there's truth in the super natural. Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left. There were some trail markers tied to trees, but they werent as reliable because some had been blown away in storms. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Glad we saw the same thing. He went on to explain its an unofficial trail, and the navigation can be treacherous. Learn how your comment data is processed. If youre planning to make this a weekend trip, I recommend searching on Booking.com to choose a place. Can You Do Dollywood in One Day? I think about how this section of the mountain range probably wasnt a trail at the time. That was my co-worker who cleaned it up! Seemed really disrespectful in such a somber place. How could that be, you ask? True! Waterrock Knob is best known for the hiking trail to its summit. 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. While these plane crashes are tragic, they can make for an enjoyable hike. The remains of the plane are still scattered along the hillside making it a super neat place to explore and . Read more about my story here. As it turned out, the plane could have made it over the mountain if it had been about 150 feet higher! People are going there and tagging it with spray paint and being disrespectful as many people in the states are. . See All . 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). If you are facing the visitor center, the trail follows an incline on the right. The Plane Crash Site near the Waterrock Knob Trail. Certainly, it is a stark reminder of how powerless we really are in the face of nature. We were there last fall and someone had spray painted the plane. Thank you! The trail to the Browning Knob plane crash site is called Plott Balsams and is unofficial. 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. 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: This is not a maintained path but there are plenty of forums online about how to . The final radar contact with the plane was at 6,100 feet, approximately only one mile from the crash site. When I can make the trip Ill definitely consider doing this hike, it seems like an interesting one I had no idea how dangerous the Smoky Mountains were for planes. Much of the eight-seat Cessna 414A is still up there on the mountain. 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. 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. Sadly, it is true. But, its a wide trail with plenty of room to stop and catch your breath if you need to. It was a CESSNA 414A airplane, which is an American light-pressured twin engine. He was right on course, after all, just a little low. The path is clear and paved for the first bit before turning to dirt and leading up several stone staircases. A moderately difficult two-mile round trip hike from the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and trailhead in Sylva, North Carolina lead to the wreckage. We said goodbye to our new friends, and began our adventure. After reaching the Waterrock Knob lookout, you will see a trail to the left. The hike is about 2 miles long. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Unfortunately, since the internet has connected everyone. Thank god someone cleaned up the graffiti. I crave the forest, the smells, the beauty and especially the healthy feeling of being outdoors. Pedestrian killed by car on Kingston Pike in Knoxville. The Ranger was giving directions to two guys in shorts and tee-shirts. The Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. Stay at our historic Sixty-One Park Farmhouse located right in downtown! It's far worse now than it ever was. If youre not a confident hiker but still want to explore the area, maybe just do this trail to the summit. The white aluminum caught my attention; nestled in a downward section of the mountain in a quiet place among trees and other plant life. Dont be disrespectful, dont leave trash behind, dont graffiti the airplane, and dont take anything with you. The plane slammed into the mountain, killing Martin and his passenger immediately. Yes. - Cause: Fair weather clouds against a pale blue sky and the Great Smoky Mountains waiting for me. 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). 0. 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. In my blog I never try and say whether you should or shouldnt do a hike. I found an article in the Mountaineer called How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob from Mike Schoeffel. Living a simple, creative life in #smalltownusa Bryson City, NC. 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 0.04. The remains of a doomed Antarctic plane, buried beneath layers of ice and snow, await those willing to do a bit of digging. If you are walking uphill as opposed to returning from the summit, it will be on the left. Heres my full guide on how to hike to the Waterrock Knob plane crash with everything you need to know to plan your outing. Most often these travelers offer an interesting departure from the quiet along the trail. Now it's as worse as it's ever been. 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 . And be prepared. 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. *subject to availability **03/27/2020 . Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. My legs and arms were feeling slightly fatigued, but I was still looking forward to the climb. The trail is obviously used often based on the wear but we didnt see anyone while we were hiking: Spraypainted yellow dots help to mark the trail. This half mile trail climbs all the way to the peak. 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. Unfortunately, there has been several tragic airplane crashes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Thats so crazy! 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. Its definitely sad but interesting to see! The plane could have made it over the mountain if it had just been about 150 feet higher. Waterrock Knob is a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Climbing up this mountain was quite a Hike and was a bigger chore than I realized it would be. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. 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. 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. Follow this trail for half of a mile to reach Browning Knob. Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. There is a shared bond in braving the elements and climbing to higher altitudes. Sample Page; ; Pilot error, poor weather conditions, and other fatal mistakes all played a role in the crash that claimed both lives on board. It is the highest peak in the Plott Balsams and is the 16th-highest mountain in the Eastern United States. Show 9 More Check-Ins May 29, 2018 Rob H. Amazing view I was able to share with my best friend . Hes Siennas sloth and he comes on hikes with us . Youre there, its right up ahead. The shattered hull has proven a popular spot for graffiti. It was time to head back. Ill admit this Sunday, we were trying to talk ourselves out of hiking. At that moment, a backpacker made his way towards us; as if he were coming from the other direction on Browning Knob Trail. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. To start the trail, you simply follow the hike to Waterrock Knob. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. 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. Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left.