Thats what I usually use to book accommodation when I travel and I can always find a good deal there. It would be nice to get that garbage off of the ground. This blog post covers the hike to the Cessna 414 plane crash deep in the mountains of North Carolina and where to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located at 5,820 feet in elevation, Waterrock Knob is the Parkway's . The grandmother laughed and grabbed my arm. 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. One wing torn off, the cockpit exposed, no windshield. Offer subject to change without notice. Click here are a few of my favorite places near Bryson City. The trail turns to dirt and continues for another quarter mile until Waterrock Knob. You will find the crash site at latitude 35.46354, longitude -83.13207. First you have to climb up Waterrock Knob which is the highes. Well now I want to go back and rewatch that. Its a paved path and well signed so all you need to do is look out for it. I never knew that there are close to 54 plane crash sites located in the Smoky Mountains. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. Get more stories delivered right to your email. His pack animal instinct was causing him to be on alert. The hike requires you to hike along the ridge of the mountain, maneuvering between trees, ground roots and boulders along the way. Maybe the Ranger was trying to discourage us from going on the unofficial hike. Two of the boys, probably her son and his friend, started howlinglike wild prey from further up the trail . Fewer hikers decide to venture this far out. OP watch out for dinos!! 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. I was super interested. See All . People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. You will receive your first newsletter soon. 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. Browning Knob is less traveled and isolated from other official National Park Service trails. Love North Carolina? Graffiti covered the white paint. However, on that fateful day, he was apparently unaware or unconcerned by the weather awaiting him. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. 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. It crashed a little before 6pm at about 6,000 feet. Its not very far: I wouldnt ever go alone to the crash, or too close to dusk. Its not something you would climb in or on, but it is interesting to see and take some photos of. as well as check out the abandoned plane crash of a Cessna 414A that happened back in 1983. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. A visitors' center is located near its summit and a . 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. On November 24, 1983, two pilots began their flight from DuPage Airport in West Chicago headed to Jackson County Airport, North Carolina. How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob. What are the most beautiful hikes in North Carolina? However, by eight-years-old he wasnt getting free ride. Marcus and I were wandering around the fuselage like detectives at a crime scene. This one is a fairly easy trail in terms of skill. Much of the Cessna 414 is still up there on the mountain. Harold Blackwood photo. Theres no sign as its unmaintained, but when I did it there was an arrow spray painted on a rock. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It was a plan that worked, until it didnt. See. 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. The path is clear and paved for the first bit before turning to dirt and leading up several stone staircases. 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. I was ahead of Marcus with Odin on his leash in the lead. She brushed her hand across the soft whitish golden fur on Odins head without hesitation. It's far worse now than it ever was. Although we were dealing with low visibility, we knew we had reached Browning Knob once the forest cleared and we came to another lookout. Skip to main content. 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. Hiking to the Waterrock Knob plane crash is one of the most interesting hikes I have ever been on. As it turned out, the plane could have made it over the mountain if it had been about 150 feet higher! Now it's 100% covered with graffiti. Most often these travelers offer an interesting departure from the quiet along the trail. Once you reach Browning Knob, you should see another unmarked trail to the left. This shed some light on the mystery. There were some trail markers tied to trees, but they werent as reliable because some had been blown away in storms. There are no engines at the site as they were salvaged soon after the crash. I hung onto his leash with one hand, and used my free hand to grab tree trunks along the trail. Last year the door and seats where stolen off the plane. The Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. That crash occurred just 11 years after this one, and was one of the most tragic plane crashes in North Carolina. You said in your writing of finding plane. 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. . Down that trail about 100 feet, youll be able to see the plane in the distance down the hill. An ideal spot for watching sunrise and sunsets across the rugged mountains, Waterrock Knob Visitor Center sits at almost 6,000 feet elevation. A black smoke monster chased him away before he had the chance to look. Its a sudden break from solitude to a social experience. 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. All Rights Reserved, Marcus and Jill Thompson. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. At the top of Waterrock Knob, you will get a great view of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Have you ever been to this crash site before? Deep & Dark Mammoth Cave: Like Navigating Another World, Woodfin Cascades: Best Kept Secret Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, Finding My Life Purpose and Passion in Happy Trails, Success Isnt About Money When Your Heart is in the Game. It rises a total of 2,000 feet in just about three . It begins as a paved trail, then moves to a dirt and rocky trail, and there are a few small sections with stairs. Where can I hike to a cave in North Carolina? I recommend bringing lunch with you to enjoy at the top of Browning Knob. Heres my full guide on how to hike to the Waterrock Knob plane crash with everything you need to know to plan your outing. Headed over to the browning knob/plane crash site, this part of the trail wasn't to hard to follow with AllTrails map downloaded. The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. The wreckage still lies in the quiet mountains where it landed, leaving a unique site for hikers. Hiked to this wreck back in the 90s when I went to school at Western Carolina University. Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. Waterrock Knob plane crash is located in Sylvia, North Carolina, right outside of Maggie Valley. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 10/10 recommend it as a place to stay, and, wherever you choose, Maggie Valley is a great base for your adventures. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The entire trek to the plane and back is a little more than two miles round trip. 2023 Marcus and Jill's Happy Trails. Waterrock Knob is a must-stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 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. Nature brings out the best in people. We hiked to one of them recently: The wreckage of this particular plane crash has been sitting there for 35 years: The story goes that on November 24, 1983, a Cessna 414 was flying from West Chicago to the Jackson County Airport here in the NC mountains. Moderate 4.6 (1494) Blue Ridge Parkway. 2023 Atlas Obscura. I was touched by her ability to express herself in a way that most people dont. The trail itself is a very difficult seven-mile hike to the top of Grandfather Mountain. This information is added by users of ASN. This hike is definitely worth it! The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. How are you!, She responded, I never run into you outside of work., We asked about the crash. Haha good call. If you are interested in hiking to this airplane crash, you also will probably enjoy hiking to Shuckstack Fire Tower. Debris is scattered everywhere in about a 20 to 30 foot radius. There is a steep ascent and some of the trails are not well marked. The final radar contact with the plane was at 6,100 feet, approximately only one mile from the crash site. People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. The sun shining down on the North Carolina mountains is truly a sight we will never forget! Shuckstack Fire Tower is an old fire observatory tower in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park! 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 of the valley below. Take a left turn into the forest . I was confused. The main reason we stopped was to walk to the plane crash site, about 2.5 miles off the main trail. 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. 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. I listened intently to his point by point directions. Again, sweeping views of the mountains. 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. Hope you prayed for the departed. When we arrived to the crash site, the scene was completely somber and serene. 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. Its a very good idea to tell multiple people where you are heading, and its probably not a trail you should tackle alone. 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). It looks so eerie and such a unique hike.