It was a CESSNA 414A airplane, which is an American light-pressured twin engine. Read Also: 5 abandoned places in the Smokies you didnt know existed. Photos (3,774) Directions. All rights reserved. I never knew that there are close to 54 plane crash sites located in the Smoky Mountains. About 2 hours return depending on your pace. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. 0. It looks so eerie and such a unique hike. Living a simple, creative life in #smalltownusa Bryson City, NC. The trail turns to dirt and continues for another quarter mile until Waterrock Knob. - 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. Theres no sign as its unmaintained, but when I did it there was an arrow spray painted on a rock. 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. 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 . Now it's as worse as it's ever been. Much of the eight-seat Cessna 414A is still up there on the mountain. Two people died in this crash. Finding the summit is easy as the trail turns towards . Fort Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Sylva, North Carolina. Thats so crazy! Now it's 100% covered with graffiti. Patrick and Tammy, two hikers from South Carolina, arrived at the wreckage just after us. 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). Start at the Waterrock Visitor Center at Milepost 451.2 off the Blue Ridge Parkway. He listened intently. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Spinosaurus might still be there close somewhere. She hung on to me for several minutes. This leads down the mountainside for approximately 200 yards to reach the crash site. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob. The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. The path is clear and paved for the first bit before turning to dirt and leading up several stone staircases. 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. 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. There are 41 sparks and recreation areas across the state, and each one seems to be more beautiful than the next. And you just stay left. Shame how some ruin it for everyone. The older man smiled wide and pulled a treat from his pocket. In my blog I never try and say whether you should or shouldnt do a hike. North Carolina Hiking: Cessna 414 Plane Crash & Sunset at Waterrock Knob. As well as what happens when we take the majesty of flight for granted. Heres What You Should Know, 29 Best Restaurants in Pigeon Forge, Ranked [2023], Great Smoky Mountains National Park Entrance Fees, What You Should Know, Smoky Mountains in March: Events in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge [2023], A Simple Guide to Smoky Mountain Parking Passes, Park it Forward. The hike is about 2 miles long. 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. To get here first drive to the visitor center at Waterrock Knob, (one of our favorite places to bring visitors too. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Much of the eight-seat Cessna 414A is still up there on the mountain. Follow this trail for half of a mile to reach Browning Knob. Shuckstack Fire Tower is an old fire observatory tower in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park! Let us know in the comments. Sample Page; ; Waterrock Knob is best known for the hiking trail to its summit. Pedestrian killed by car on Kingston Pike in Knoxville. Id still like to find some old newspaper articles on the crash if they existand know more about the people who died here. Have you hiked at Waterrock? Maybe the Labor Day weekend was causing us to think about work instead of focusing on a true adventure. How to Get There. Thank you! I was super interested. And as a hiker, I love a challenging hike thanks for sharing. Follow the yellow markers painted on the trees. If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can. The trail itself is a very difficult seven-mile hike to the top of Grandfather Mountain. . . When we arrived to the crash site, the scene was completely somber and serene. I recommend bringing lunch with you to enjoy at the top of Browning Knob. Retumbo 8lbsIn addition, it is an Extreme Powder, making it perfect for big game hunting under all types of. CESSNA 414A airplane, which is an American light-pressured twin engine. Youre there, its right up ahead. Down that trail about 100 feet, youll be able to see the plane in the distance down the hill. If youre not a confident hiker but still want to explore the area, maybe just do this trail to the summit. A highly-rated trail for hikers and explorers alike, the trail is two miles . It is the modern-day retelling of the Icarus story of flying too close to the sun. Dont be disrespectful, dont leave trash behind, dont graffiti the airplane, and dont take anything with you. You will hike to the beautiful Waterrock knob and Browning knob on your way to the plane crash site. My first thought was nah, its on the other side. Stay left.. We said goodbye to our new friends, and began our adventure. 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. Thank god someone cleaned up the graffiti. It begins as a paved trail, then moves to a dirt and rocky trail, and there are a few small sections with stairs. 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. 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. 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 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. Make sure you leave your thoughts in the comments, especially if you know of other crashed planes hiding in the wilderness of North Carolina. GPS coordinates: 3527'37.2N 8308'27.0W. The sun shining down on the North Carolina mountains is truly a sight we will never forget! The Mixa' hike Waterrock Knob. 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. I crave the forest, the smells, the beauty and especially the healthy feeling of being outdoors. I was touched by her ability to express herself in a way that most people dont. 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. It was an unmarked trail with thick overgrowth on either side. Martin was flying his secretary, Centa Jarrett, from Illinois to visit her children who lived in Bryson City with their father. I recommend going to the summit first to check out the views, then going to the plane crash after. I found the spray paint trail markings most helpful since some of the ties had been blown away in storms, When you come to this clearing, take the path left (this spray painted rock points the way) and you are very close to the crash. It was quite an eerie sight! Both occupants were killed. 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. Can You Do Dollywood in One Day? My legs and arms were feeling slightly fatigued, but I was still looking forward to the climb. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. There were several up and down altitude excursions. 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 . Get more stories delivered right to your email. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 13 min to complete. One wing torn off, the cockpit exposed, no windshield. Waterrock Knob is a must-stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway.Located at Milepost 451.2 (just 18 miles from the end of the Parkway), it features the last hiking trail along the Parkway as you travel toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.This peak (6,292 ft.) is the 16th highest mountain in the Eastern United States - and the 15th highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina over 6,000 feet. Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. Hiked 10/30 2nd time doing this trail and 2nd time doing the entire thing in the clouds!! It is the highest peak in the Plott Balsams and is the 16th-highest mountain in the Eastern United States. Download Millions Of Videos Online. Do you remember the terrifying crash of USAir Flight 1016 near Charlotte Douglas International Airport? Located at 5,820 feet in elevation, Waterrock Knob is the Parkway's . Waterrock Knob - Milepost 451.2. Tammy arrived after Patrick; she was standing behind the plane on the slope. This one is a fairly easy trail in terms of skill. They would never reach their destination, and the aftermath of the crash has lied deep in the mountains of North Carolina ever since. 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. 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! It is definitely a unique hike, Although this is a site created by a tragic event, I really like sites like these abandoned buildings, vehicles, planes, etc., purely for the artistic side of them. Keep these hiking tips in mind: It is important to remember that the two men on the airplane died in the crash. 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. I just give you as much information as possible to make that decision for yourself and I hope that helps. Mitchell State Park will take you along a rocky, windy path to the top of the mountain, and a hike to Paradise Falls will reward you with stunning, watery views of the hidden waterfall. I love to hike! Please feel free to subscribe below fornotifications regarding new blog posts, travel destinations, photography updates and newly available art. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a FREE PRINTABLE TRAVEL PLANNER! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. People are going there and tagging it with spray paint and being disrespectful as many people in the states are. 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!) It clearly says its on the right if you are returning down the trail after the lookout. Hike this trail for another .5 mile and you will then reach the top of Browning Knob. Just before the summit, you will see the path to the plane crash on the left. Note: When hiking to this area please be respectful of the site. Located at Milepost 451.2, it is the sixteenth highest mountain in the East. The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. Your email address will not be published. 20 reviews of Waterrock Knob "Waterrock Knob is part of the Plott Balsalms range. A museum celebrating rare American motorcycles where everything runsand none of it quietly. Hiked to this wreck back in the 90s when I went to school at Western Carolina University. After navigating rocky outcrops, a steady up and downhill path, and another patch of overgrowth, the trail became thick and somewhat confusing. Most often these travelers offer an interesting departure from the quiet along the trail. 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. 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. We passed by the hiker, shoulder-to-shoulder, thanking him for his time, and we followed the path through the brush. Additionally, the FAA found a blood alcohol level of .04%. We started early, only 3 other cars in lot. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. Have you been to Waterrock Knob? He asked. Hiking to the Waterrock Knob plane crash is one of the most interesting hikes I have ever been on. All we could hear was brushing of leaves and distant howls from the wind. The Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. But the hike is definitley one of my favorites. While these plane crashes are tragic, they can make for an enjoyable hike. 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. 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. Have you ever been to this crash site before? Martin likely would have made it the rest of the way without much incident, had he been a couple of hundred feet higher. It is often used but remains off the beaten path. And one of those trails holds the wreckage of a plane crash from more than 40 years ago. The path is moderately difficult with roots and downed trees and muddy patches to negotiate. You wont be far from the visitors center, but with the thick canopy, its not a great place to be lost in the mountains. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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. OP watch out for dinos!! Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Here are some of the prettiest trails in North Carolina: The state of North Carolina is known for its expansive beauty, but there are a few hikes across the Tar Heel State that really take the cake. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. On November 24, 1983, a Cessna 414 was en route to the Jackson County Airport from Chicago when it crashed into the mountainside just before 6:00 pm. 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. You probably dont need to reminder, but keep in mind it is a site where people died so keep it respectful when you visit. We are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. Where to park for the Waterrock Knob Plane Crash hike. 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]. Address: Waterrock Knob, North Carolina 28779, USA Rethink that selfie. Theres a lot of ups and downs so youll probably get a little puffed on the incline, but if you have a reasonable level of fitness, you should be fine. I thought about our hikes 20 years ago, when our son our Alex was five-years-old. 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. 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.