This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The aircraft then descended and crossed the snowbird VOR at about 6,700 feet. She was a quick talker. Now it's 100% covered with graffiti. Read more in my about section. Its a very good idea to tell multiple people where you are heading, and its probably not a trail you should tackle alone. 10 Tips for Safe Travel: How to Travel the World Safely! 74 Likes, TikTok video from smoky.mountain.soul (@smoky.mountain.soul): " Have you found the elusive "plane crash" hike in Western North Carolina? True! A work colleague, Drew, had hooked me into conversation last week about the hike. 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. While these plane crashes are tragic, they can make for an enjoyable hike. He looked tired but exuded deep satisfaction. 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. - 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. Its not right off the side after the knob and its NOT.. And its very very difficult and could take hours. Headed over to the browning knob/plane crash site, this part of the trail wasn't to hard to follow with AllTrails map downloaded. Have you ever been to this crash site before? Stay at our historic Sixty-One Park Farmhouse located right in downtown! Can Sacred Places Impact Our Energy and Our Mood? A visitors' center is located near its summit and a . Follow the yellow markers painted on the trees. Love North Carolina? The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by: After departure at 1417 cst, radar track showed the aircraft climbing to and maintaining 7,600 feet until about 1733 est and 28-30 miles north of the Knoxville VOR. Have you hiked to this plane crash before? For mountain views wed recommend Mount Mitchell, standing a whopping 6,684 feet above sea level that allows hikers to see up to 100 miles past the point. Two of the boys, probably her son and his friend, started howlinglike wild prey from further up the trail . 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. Read more . Pilot error, poor weather conditions, and other fatal mistakes all played a role in the crash that claimed both lives on board. The entire trek to the plane and back is a little more than two miles round trip. 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. This short trail will lead you down to the site of the airplane crash. Jerry Mattox, [footer_backtotop href="#top" text="Return to Top"] Keep reading to learn how to hike to an airplane crash in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park via the Waterrock Knob trail. I found an article in the Mountaineer called. Of course, you know your kids best so use this guide and your best judgment to decide if its appropriate for yours. We did this short hike a few weeks ago..You really should take the side trip to Browning Knob and see the old plane crash..Only an extra mile or so. It was a CESSNA 414A airplane, which is an American light-pressured twin engine. After crossing snowbird VOR the aircraft turned south and again there were altitude excursions. The trail starts at the last path on the left before the summit. Here are some of the best state parks in North Carolina: The real question iswhat state park shouldnt you visit in North Carolina? 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. Will you be taking the hike? 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. 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. I usually describe this kind of place as Narnia: Its not the easiest hike, but very doable if you can climb over fallen trees and jump across some small mud pits: The canopy is pretty thick so the vegetation is mostly ferns, fungi and mosswhich I love: Theres a lot of photograph if you take your time: This looked like a waterfall of roots to me.a rootfall? It was an attempt to keep his bearings, which the FAA referred to as up and down altitude excursions. 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. To learn more, clickhere. While this hike isnt long, it is difficult. My first thought was nah, its on the other side. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 13 min to complete. Meteorological conditions at the crash site included low clouds and precipitation. I took some photos of the wreckage, and I have even more mental photos to share through written words. Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes near Asheville (Craggy Gardens to Waterrock Knob) . Hiked to this wreck back in the 90s when I went to school at Western Carolina University. Rethink that selfie. In November of 1983, a combination of poor weather and alcohol led to the crash of a small Cessna 414A plane, killing all on board. 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.. Fair weather clouds against a pale blue sky and the Great Smoky Mountains waiting for me. We passed by the hiker, shoulder-to-shoulder, thanking him for his time, and we followed the path through the brush. I think about the moments before, during and after the crash. fornotifications regarding new blog posts, travel destinations, photography updates and newly available art. I thought about our hikes 20 years ago, when our son our Alex was five-years-old. Both people on board died. Shuckstack Fire Tower is an old fire observatory tower in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park! Moderate 4.6 (1494) Blue Ridge Parkway. There are also restrooms available and . Additionally, the FAA found a blood alcohol level of .04%. 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%). This site is monitored, so please do not remove any items from the crash. Make sure when you visit, however, that you take care to follow all safety precautions listed by the park in question. The hike requires you to hike along the ridge of the mountain, maneuvering between trees, ground roots and boulders along the way. I know its been a minute since you posted, but my husband and I hiked this last week and I am sad to report that it has been re-tagged. Let us know in the comments. Ernest Martin, founder and owner of Martin Tool Works, Inc., was the he in question. No purchase necessary. This is not a maintained path but there are plenty of forums online about how to . 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. This shed some light on the mystery. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Theres more details below so please read the full guide to see if its a good option for you. Waterrock Knob is a must-stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Maybe the Labor Day weekend was causing us to think about work instead of focusing on a true adventure. Stay left.. Photos (3,774) Directions. I alway come prepared, he said. This popular trail goes to the Waterrock Knob summit. 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. Elk Knob State Park is popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and Hanging Rock State Park has five waterfalls, incredible rock outcroppings, a lake, AND a mountain. from Mike Schoeffel. You will be walking through the quiet woods then all of a sudden the crash appears through the trees. Youll eventually come to Browning Knob.. Once you reach Browning Knob, you should see another unmarked trail to the left. Completely agree! I stayed here and it was just awesome. North Carolina Hiking: Cessna 414 Plane Crash & Sunset at Waterrock Knob. For us, this happens on most weekends. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But the hike is definitley one of my favorites. This information is added by users of ASN. This trail is rocky, narrow . When you do meet new and interesting people, youll find its like waking up from a sound sleep. Hiked 10/30 2nd time doing this trail and 2nd time doing the entire thing in the clouds!! The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.4. Seriously makes me hope there's truth in the super natural. 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. Ive always wanted to visit North Carolina! You probably dont need to reminder, but keep in mind it is a site where people died so keep it respectful when you visit. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Everything but the engines still remains at the crash site. Top Hikes in Western North Carolina - The Blue Ridge Mountains Upload, share, download and embed your videos. Then I looked at my pictures from a year out so ago and realized that indeed it has been cleaned. 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. I think he and his parents were Hawaiian. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Heres my full guide on how to hike to the Waterrock Knob plane crash with everything you need to know to plan your outing. 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. I noticed it as a gap in the tall grass at first.