Waterrock Knob | Browning Knob | Mount Lyn Lowry | NC6K | North Carolina 6,000 Foot Summits

Plott Balsams 6,000 Ft Peaks: Waterrock Knob, Browning Knob & Mount Lyn Lowry. NC6K: North Carolina 6K' Peak Challenge | 6,000 Foot Summits This week we traveled to the southwestern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway to visit the Plott Balsam mountains. From the Waterrock Knob visitor center we traversed three 6000-foot peaks with some extraordinarily unique features. Waterrock Knob is a short half-mile hike from the parking area, followed by the Browning Knob which is another half mile and home to a tragic, fatal plane crash site. The third summit, Mount Lyn Lowry, is several miles further, taking you through a rugged diversion to avoid private property. Although not maintained by the National Park Service, hikers that tackle the challenge will enjoy an awe-inspiring surprise at the end of this trek. CONTENTS 00:00 Intro Teaser 00:45 Map & Overview 02:00 Start of Trail 03:10 Waterrock Knob 6292' 04:19 Plane Crash Site 05:28 Browning Knob 6240' 06:46 Rugged Terrain Warning 07:40 A Surprise 8:41 Mount Lyn Lowry 6240' 9:42 Back on the Trail 11:46 One Last View In 1983, poor visibility led the pilot of a small Cessna 414A to engage in up and down altitude excursions to keep his bearings. This plan worked to keep him on course, albeit at an altitude too low among the high mountain peaks - as the plane plunged into the side of Browning Knob, immediately killing him and his passenger. The wreckage lies there to this day. To honor their daughter, a 15-year old leukemia victim, an Army veteran and his wife erected a memorial atop Jones Knob. In 1965, the Rev. Billy Graham presided over the dedication ceremony and the peak was renamed Mount Lyn Lowry. The 60 foot cross was adorned with seven lights that enabled the structure to be seen from nearby villages for almost 50 years. But the cross has been dark for the last 10, needing electrical repairs that proved more complex than first anticipated.