The remains of a German plane still sit in the Norwegian wood where it crashed in 1942. The Mixa' hike Waterrock Knob. It was a dark night and the final radar contact was at 6100 feet and 1 mild from the crash site. Much of the eight-seat Cessna 414A is still up there on the mountain. Graffiti covered the white paint. This hike is definitely worth it! The bodies are gone and buried elsewhere. Hiking to the Waterrock Knob plane crash is one of the most interesting hikes I have ever been on. Both occupants were killed. Pilot error, poor weather conditions, and other fatal mistakes all played a role in the crash that claimed both lives on board. 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. You also could like hiking at Deep Creek. The entire trek to the plane and back is a little more than two miles round trip. There are the remnants of an old Cessna plane that crashed there many years ago that you can hike to. Lake proponents argued that turning Cades Cove into a body of water would promote tourism (photo by Patrick Jennings/stock.adobe.com), Land of Oz features an immersive experience based on the iconic story of the Wizard of Oz, including characters, the yellow brick road and a visit to Emerald City (photos and compilation by TheSmokies.com), Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. Length 1.7 miElevation gain 692 ftRoute type Out & back. Now it's as worse as it's ever been. I help women with chronic illnesses develop the confidence to travel the world solo! Ernest Martin, founder and owner of Martin Tool Works, Inc., was the he in question. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. Waterrock Knob is one of my favorite hikes and its always one that I recommend to visitors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Check this box to receive emails from Journey to the Destination. After a few hours of homework, I glanced out the window. The aircraft then descended and crossed the snowbird VOR at about 6,700 feet. After hiking up to Waterrock Knob, I overheard a Ranger standing in front of a narrow path to the left. Shuckstack Fire Tower is an old fire observatory tower in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park! Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. Waterrock Knob - Milepost 451.2. People are going there and tagging it with spray paint and being disrespectful as many people in the states are. Let us know in the comments. It was time to head back. There is a visitor center at mile marker 451 so you can park and use the restroom before your hike. When we arrived to the crash site, the scene was completely somber and serene. Once you start at the visitor center, you will climb .5 miles up to the top of Waterrock Knob. I love to hike! At least, this was his recollection. Maybe the Ranger was trying to discourage us from going on the unofficial hike. We said goodbye to our new friends, and began our adventure. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. To the left, I thought, this must be the way to Browning Knob! "I think I'm going to throw another key on the fire!". *subject to availability **03/27/2020 . 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. This spray painted rock points the way. THIS NEARLY 40-YEAR-OLD PLANE WRECKAGE is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina.A moderately difficult two-mile round trip hike from the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and trailhead in Sylva, North Carolina lead to the wreckage.. If you get the chance, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is an amazing place to visit. Odin still had energy, which increased the challenge for me. Pedestrian killed by car on Kingston Pike in Knoxville. You can un-subscribe at any time. 10 Tips for Safe Travel: How to Travel the World Safely! Please feel free to subscribe below fornotifications regarding new blog posts, travel destinations, photography updates and newly available art. The Browning Knob lookout is beautiful and you will be able to see the parking lot where you started. From Waterrock Knob, which is named for the spring near the summit where hunters would refill their canteens, the trail is small, mostly unmarked and easily missed. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Two people died in this crash. 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 path was straight down the side of the mountain; winding around moss covered trees and through what seemed like mile high pines overhead. The rest of the aircraft was left on the mountainside. The thing about getting to any summit is that you gotta go uphill. Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 451.2: Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Park Store. When I reached the top of Waterrock Knob, under rather malicious-looking skies, a 60-year old man with . Dont be disrespectful, dont leave trash behind, dont graffiti the airplane, and dont take anything with you. Plane Crash Site from 1983, Waterrock Knob, North Carolina, USA. Head down that trail about 100 feet and you should see the plane in the distance down the hill. 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. Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes near Asheville (Craggy Gardens to Waterrock Knob) . All we could hear was brushing of leaves and distant howls from the wind. Both occupants were killed. 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. Read Also: 5 abandoned places in the Smokies you didnt know existed. 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. Haha.thats Sam! While we were gathered at the crash site more people started to come. Its going to work your legs. Offer subject to change without notice. Located at 5,820 feet in elevation, Waterrock Knob is the Parkway's . This shed some light on the mystery. 20 reviews of Waterrock Knob "Waterrock Knob is part of the Plott Balsalms range. Id still like to find some old newspaper articles on the crash if they existand know more about the people who died here. He looked tired but exuded deep satisfaction. Roots and rocks were everywhere along the earthy trail. Then I looked at my pictures from a year out so ago and realized that indeed it has been cleaned. The last recorded elevation of the airplane was about 6,000 ft. Odin pulled me up the rocky path with a spring in his four legs. Look at a map before you go as it's a little tricky. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. The pilot's blood alcohol level was at 0.04%. Heres my full guide on how to hike to the Waterrock Knob plane crash with everything you need to know to plan your outing. I wrote about it here in 2015. This short trail will lead you down to the site of the airplane crash. Completely agree! Here, you will see the third trail on your left. Now it's 100% covered with graffiti. People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. Make sure you leave your thoughts in the comments, especially if you know of other crashed planes hiding in the wilderness of North Carolina. The white aluminum caught my attention; nestled in a downward section of the mountain in a quiet place among trees and other plant life. Packing the right day hike essentials is super important for your trip. Being less than 10 miles from Maggie Valley, it is the closest hike and Visitors Center. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. When you start returning back down the trail from the summit, youll see the small plane crash trail on your right. The planes tail completely detached; laying against a tree trunk about 15 feet away. Thank god someone cleaned up the graffiti. She looked more like her dad than her Caucasian mother. There are some days when you really get the itch to go on a hike. What! There are 41 sparks and recreation areas across the state, and each one seems to be more beautiful than the next. 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. He had friends in the area and had flown into the Jackson County Airport before. 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 main reason we stopped was to walk to the plane crash site, about 2.5 miles off the main trail. Here on the mountain side, seats and wreckage were scattered all over the steep terrain. The trail itself is a very difficult seven-mile hike to the top of Grandfather Mountain. Debris is scattered everywhere in about a 20 to 30 foot radius. Hi Ace, it seems you mightve mixed up what Ive written because I never said its on the right after the knob. They are pretending to be wolves, Allison confirmed. The wreckage was uncovered by Civil Air Patrol members a week later near the summit of Waterrock Knob. 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. 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. You can use Waterrock Knob Visitor Center in Google Maps to get to the parking area. And some of the trees along the trail have been marked with yellow spray paint to make it easier. Both people on board died. Fort Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Sylva, North Carolina. 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. Love North Carolina? It was quite an eerie sight! Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. 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. The walk from Waterrock Knob to Browning Knob was approximately 0.7 miles. Beware. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. You will hike to the beautiful Waterrock knob and Browning knob on your way to the plane crash site. 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. Have you hiked to this plane crash before? The remains of a doomed Antarctic plane, buried beneath layers of ice and snow, await those willing to do a bit of digging. Youll eventually come to Browning Knob.. I couldnt find any engines at the site and after a little research it turns out that they were salvaged soon after the crash. After navigating rocky outcrops, a steady up and downhill path, and another patch of overgrowth, the trail became thick and somewhat confusing. The crash occurred in 1983 as a result of poor weather and alcohol. His wife was suddenly standing by my side, close, like she was my friend. Watch premium and official videos free online. 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 . The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. Here are some of the best state parks in North Carolina: The real question iswhat state park shouldnt you visit in North Carolina? Deep Gap Trail at Mt. It can be easy to get hurt or lost while hiking to the airplane crash site. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. At the top of Waterrock Knob, you will get a great view of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 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). The older man smiled wide and pulled a treat from his pocket. Quiet reflection will force you to be in the moment with your thoughts. 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. I heard it might even be getting removed soon because of it. 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. Beautiful sunset, viewed from the Waterrock Knob parking lot upon returning after the hike. 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? Copyright 2017 CleanBlog | Theme by AirThemes. There are also restrooms by the visitor center which is your last chance to go before you start hiking. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 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!) Recommendations: We highly recommend a hike to Waterrock Knob to visitors in the Maggie Valley/Waynesville area. The remains of the iconic train crash from the movie The Fugitive can still be found rusting along the Great Smoky Railroad. There are no engines at the site as they were salvaged soon after the crash. Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina? Waterrock Knob is a must-stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Ranger continued on up Waterrock and out of site. There were some trail markers tied to trees, but they werent as reliable because some had been blown away in storms. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. Moderate 4.6 (1494) Blue Ridge Parkway. Its a good idea to have someone with you. It is equal parts morbid and fascinating. And, a Hawaiian woman who I will most likely never see again, held my hand, as if she were one of my closest friends. The views are epic and sweeping: In my blog I never try and say whether you should or shouldnt do a hike. Additionally, the FAA found a blood alcohol level of .04%. All Rights Reserved, Marcus and Jill Thompson. Upon reaching the parking lot, you will see the visitor center, which is open from 10 AM - 5 PM from mid-April through October. Point to point with a paved section as well as a dirt and tree root based section. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Well now I want to go back and rewatch that. I hung onto his leash with one hand, and used my free hand to grab tree trunks along the trail. 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. Thank you! If you are walking uphill as opposed to returning from the summit, it will be on the left. Before hiking to the airplane crash, it is important to prepare. . These cookies do not store any personal information. It was an unspoken closeness she was expressing; after she and I had shared a few things we had in common with our lives. This is a beautiful hike but the trail down to the plane crash is a bit strenuous! 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. They were drawn to our yellow lab, Odin. I thought about our hikes 20 years ago, when our son our Alex was five-years-old. Hes Siennas sloth and he comes on hikes with us . Rethink that selfie. You can use 'Waterrock Knob Visitor Center' in Google Maps to get to the parking area. January 11, 2022 | Julie Roland Realty | Route 64 Blog, Route 64 Journal. Again, this area is full of little trails or paths and steep drops. The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. He listened intently. 2023 Marcus and Jill's Happy Trails. Seriously makes me hope there's truth in the super natural. Wed love to hear about them! Spinosaurus might still be there close somewhere. The final radar contact was at 6,100 feet and about 1 mile from the crash site. 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. Theres more details below so please read the full guide to see if its a good option for you. Do you remember the terrifying crash of USAir Flight 1016 near Charlotte Douglas International Airport? Hiked to this wreck back in the 90s when I went to school at Western Carolina University. It looks so eerie and such a unique hike. Thank god someone cleaned up the graffiti. There are also restrooms available and picnic tables with gorgeous panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. 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. All rights reserved. Say hi to the doggy, she called her granddaughter with a wave of her hand. It was an unmarked trail with thick overgrowth on either side. The possibility the pilots decision making ability on a cloudy night could have also been impaired by alcohol and other factors we just dont know. In fact, he didnt file a flight plan as required in that situation. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Did you see the plane crash site? Located at Milepost 451.2, it is the sixteenth highest mountain in the East. It was a plan that worked, until it didnt. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Waterrock Knob is a mountain peak in the U.S. state of North Carolina. 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). Note: When hiking to this area please be respectful of the site. And as a hiker, I love a challenging hike thanks for sharing. When you do meet new and interesting people, youll find its like waking up from a sound sleep. I have an awesome cinematic hiking vlog here for you guys! Today, we met people from California, South Carolina, and others from our own town. The wreckage still lies in the quiet mountains where it landed, leaving a unique site for hikers. Sylva, North Carolina. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. It crashed a little before 6pm at about 6,000 feet. After crossing snowbird VOR the aircraft turned south and again there were altitude excursions. . If you are facing the visitor center, the trail follows an incline on the right. Leave the crash site (and the trail) exactly as they were before your hike. Odins ears perked up. Fair weather clouds against a pale blue sky and the Great Smoky Mountains waiting for me. Nature brings out the best in people. Have you hiked at Waterrock? The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. - 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. Be sure to wear hiking boots because the trail is rocky, dont forget your reusable water bottle, and bring a map and compass in case you get lost. The Ranger was giving directions to two guys in shorts and tee-shirts. People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. Seemed really disrespectful in such a somber place. Two of the boys, probably her son and his friend, started howling. Just before the summit, you will see the path to the plane crash on the left. Patrick and Tammy, two hikers from South Carolina, arrived at the wreckage just after us. Waterrock Knob plane crash is located in Sylvia, North Carolina, right outside of Maggie Valley. 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. Take this trail. Jun 25, 2018. See. Martin likely would have made it the rest of the way without much incident, had he been a couple of hundred feet higher. Retumbo 8lbsIn addition, it is an Extreme Powder, making it perfect for big game hunting under all types of. I saw families with kids doing the trail while I was there and people with dogs I took my dog too. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. 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. Hike this trail for another .5 mile and you will then reach the top of Browning Knob. We are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. 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. Its a paved path and well signed so all you need to do is look out for it. Martin had emigrated from Germany sometime after the war, building a company and a fortune in the Chicago area. As Im getting older I dont do it as much as I should and your pictures helped me see things I dont see much of anymore. 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 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 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. Headed over to the browning knob/plane crash site, this part of the trail wasn't to hard to follow with AllTrails map downloaded. We talked about the dented metal and torn off debris; and tried to visualize what had happened. It was fantastic to have breakfast on the porch, sit by the fire in the evenings, and soak in the jacuzzi at night while watching glow bugs. It is easy to take a wrong turn in the forest, so be sure to pay attention to the yellow markers on the trees leading the way along the trail. 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. 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. 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. It is a shame so many people can hike here but no one cares to restore the grounds and remove what isn't natural. Oh and also, fuck Lauren and Trent . 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. 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. Thank you! Did you know that there are several airplane crashes that have happened in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park? 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 . Copyright Lil Blue Boo 2023 | Privacy Policy, The Great Smoky Mountains and Western NC Hiking. I found it easier to follow the spray paint on trees and rocks to stay on the trail. I wrote about it here in 2015. on How to Hike to an Airplane Crash in the Great Smoky Mountains- Waterrock Knob, How to Hike to an Airplane Crash in the Great Smoky Mountains- Waterrock Knob.