The point itself is marked with no less than three geodetic survey benchmarks, all cemented into rock. We knew from the maps that this would be our last chance for a view to the southeast, so we did finally take one of the faint side trails leading to a rocky outcrop. I imagine the site has been picked over and obviously grown over (but as indicated above, no trees have grown in, just ground cover mostly). Be prepared with good footwear as the trail gets steep. No purchase necessary. At a little less than a mile, we came to a place marked as Indian Lookout, but which was right about where trail signs had said Cove Top Cliff should be. Geocaching in Harriman State Park: Finding and Placing Caches, Foraging in Harriman: Wild Edible Berries. It was a bit of a nervy drive up there though as our gas light came on just after we left the North Trailhead. I was on the long path today just east of the Big Rock when I met a group of four people who told me about the plan crash. It is still painful to talk about, but I would love to speak with anyone in the family who would like to. *I was six years old, sitting in my parents kitchen in Tuxedo Park on that snowy evening when the 727 crashed. Yesterday, I found it by looking at a historic aerial photo from 1975, and then going to the place. I suspect, not substantially different owing to the fact that trees havent really gown back in; I suspect due to all the fuel which did not burn (there was no fire). A plane crash in San Francisco this week was similar to a plane crash in Harriman State Park forest forty years ago. I remember driving to this sight with my father he was a cop in bear mountain at the time and worked security. We didnt stay too long as we needed to get back up the trail before sunset. Just keep an eye out for the white triangles the photo below shows one on a tree towards the bottom left corner. Park, near Ft. Collins, Colorado United Air Lines Douglas DC-6B N37543: 50/50(0) 12 Jul 1951: Lyneham AFB, England Military - Royal Air Force Vickers Valetta C-1 VW194: 10/10(0) 12 Jul 1951: Near Tezpur, India Indamer Douglas C-47B VT-CHT: 3/3(0) 12 Jul 1951: Aracaju, Brazil Loide Aereo Nacional Douglas DC-3 Oak Mountain State Park Photos (2,401) Directions Print/PDF map Length 14.1 miElevation gain 2,139 ftRoute type Out & back Get to know this 14.1-mile out-and-back trail near Pelham, Alabama. The planes dubbed "Gold" (crashed plane) and "Black" stopped at Denver's Stapleton International Airport to refuel. I couldnt find much information about Northwest Airlines Flight 6231 online, until I found theAAR75-13. From the parking lot, the trail head is easily visible and right across the road. The forest is slowly reclaiming the wreckage but still visible is a large portion of one wing, a large radial engine, and some unidentified pieces wrapped around trees. This azalea flowers before leaf-out, and without the leaves it was impossible for us to say if it was a mountain or pinxter azalea, but in either case it was stunning. With the help of Gordon and my curiosity to find it I did find site one summer day last year I walked the path off of St. Johns in the Wilderness finally found it there were no plaque you could easily overlook site but its been 40 plus years so. Your email address will not be published. Unsanctioned! I run along the long path often and will try to find it. An alternate history park where the Union Army loses the war to dinosaurs. The piece of the airplane I found first was shaped like a little cross. Bottom line there is a stretch of trees that have been knocked out years ago, but never grown back. It is part of who I am. We are planning to accomplish this on Saturday, June 27th. By Staff Reports. We joined the Yellow trail for a few hundred feet, then came to the big Red Road again, with the starting kiosk and parking lot in sight. Two people died Monday in the crash of a plane that had flown out of Merrill Field, Alaska State Troopers said. The Blue Trail continues on for another 3.3 miles or so to reach Peavine Falls, but we took the Connector to start our loop back to the North Trail Head. AMC Camp: http://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/Lodges/harriman/ This park has always meant a lot to me. Please tune in. But on that spot, theyve posted a memorial, and there is still debris from the crash. If establishing a national park in Alabama seems far-fetched, remember almost simultaneously the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) in Tennessee and North Carolina was being developed. The trail continued up and down a bit, over a flatter ridge top section and past the site of a 1951 plane crash. Tuxedo Park is within seven miles straight-line to the crash site. I didnt imagine a child hearing it all the way to Tuxedo Park, though. I searched for the site 10 years ago with some GPS coordinates obtained from a hiking website. My concern would be two things Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This memorial site offers scenic views and a peaceful place for reflection. Thanks for sharing your adventures. etc. Home; Map of crashes; List by state; About; Alabama fatal crashes (551) View all crashes on a map. Thanks, Thanks for the coordinates! She said I found a piece, picked it up and then I left the cross at the edge of the trail, propped up on a rock. Later seekers might now find something where it wasnt originally. The campground is open year round and has 57 full-hookup sites with 50-amp service, 27 with water & electric, and 66 tent campsites (6 have water & electric). We could not find the siteis it near the church? Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. As this is an offshoot from the White trail, youll now be following white triangle route markers rather than rectangular trail blazes. Many pages have had more links added, and I have enlarged the map on the main page. Last on our list of rare trees and animals in the park, is a pair of bald eagles that love to frequent and hunt for fish at Lunker and Beaver lakes. There is a gully of ferns there. Some time ago I wrote about looking for a plane that went down in Harriman State Park in 1974. Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Alabama, Birmingham AL, Hiking, Oak Mountain State Park, Pet-Friendly Things To Do, State Parks, Waterfalls. I visited the site in mid- February. We knew from the maps that this would be our last chance for a view to the southeast, so we did finally take one of the faint side trails leading to a rocky outcrop. The next morning, I heard in school that the aircraft was located. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. We were almost on top of the spot but it became much too swampy, eventually. Near the campfire ring there is a rather large pile of collected plane parts. You can actually still see remnants of the old homesteads today in the middle of the woods and ridge.. There are nearly 25,000 passenger planes in service worldwide, according to Cirium, an aviation data. The crash site is relatively small. Oak Grove, AL. I dont really know, but I will send photos to Suzy. Remains of Northwest Airlines plane crash in Harriman State Park 40 years ago. My grandfather, Joseph Trainor, was an officer with the Palisades Park Police when the crash happened. Fast forward to the 1920sOak Mountain State Park was called the Moonshinest place in Alabama. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call ) Nearly 50 years ago, Don Arcury survived a . Past the Point, we came across early saxifrage peeking out from between some rocks, and then the rocky trail narrowed to a knife edge. I will send some photos to Suzy and maybe she can publish, I now consider myself the expert in finding the plane wreck since I tried to get there 4 times and only on the last did I find it. As you set off from there, the trail tries to lull you into a false sense of security with its nice, gentle slope. In fact, a few of the pine trees may be two centuries old. If you look at the map, theres a road that comes from the northeast end of Breakneck Pond. It was a lone azalea in full and glorious bloom off the trail to our right. (LogOut/ They are in the eagle world considered a married couple.. Ive walked and even XC skied past the memorial since this thread started nearly 10 years ago. If you visit the falls though, youll be glad you made the effort to traverse downhill and back up again. Geocaching in Harriman State Park: Finding and Placing Caches, Foraging in Harriman: Wild Edible Berries. The crash of the 727 is a vivid memory for me. Of course, as a naturalist, Lauren takes pride in the rare forests, trees and animals that reside in Oak Mountain State Park. For years, I wanted to find the crash site and go there for the mental connection to the sounds I heard as a child when the plane crashed. Hey Scott. That still gave Shae enough time though to get some good photos with her proper camera. We kept on the White Trail, walking through piney woods and over multiple little streams. I left the cross at the edge of the trail, propped up on a rock. I don't have an ETA for these changes, but would expect them at the beginning of next year. Could I have gone to the wrong place. The modern campground has 85 RV sites with water, electricity, and sewer hook-ups and 60 tent sites bordering Beaver Lake. I mention this not because it strikes me as a better way to remember something that happened on a spot, but just a different way. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. It's the fourth such runway incursion over the last several weeks. The NTSB is investigating the incident. John was a loving and much loved person all his life, and Im sure all of us can share as many interesting stories of his life as youd care to hear. Interstate 90 parallels the base of the north side of the mountain. Unsanctioned! The China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 was flying from Kunming to Guangzhou when it. Dusky aqua-green metal, old rivets, twisted stuff thats unidentifiable to those of us who dont know much about airplanes. Tuesday evening, is near Rocky Mountain National Park, 90 minutes away from Denver. Hi Brad. Oak Mountain State Park was going to be Alabamas Little Smoky Mountain National Park, exclaimed Lauren Muncher, naturalist at the park. Ill post something about the cache. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Because of the parks natural springs there is evidence that the area was a hunting ground for bears, elk and deer. Gary Scarano and Bill Rowland will be on 1300 AM radio show at 11:15 to speak about the 1974 Baltimore Colt Plane crash in Harriman State Park. Bear Mountain; SUFFERN. Washington State Patrol Public Information Officer Collin Cumaravel said that David . Park activities include hiking, running, mountain biking, swimming, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and golf. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hi Suzy, Volusia County. Its between the Long Path and the Old Turnpike, west of where the Suffern-Bear Mountain trail crosses. I would like to be on your email list and stay informed as to the latest happenings in your wonderful memorial project for my brother. Before becoming Oak Mountains naturalist, she worked at the Alabama Wildlife Center and the Interpretive Center when it was operated by Samford. The White Trail immediately started the climb up to the highest point in the park, Shackleford Point. Google Map Link to Camp Site: https://goo.gl/maps/E83C3jpkygu. The Martin 404 that crashed was part of two planes carrying WSU players, coaches and fans from Wichita to Logan, Utah for a game. something I will never forget. In the past year, they have discovered 3 additional stills. After traversing a bit more of the rocky spine of Shackleford Point, we started down off the northwestern slope of the mountain and towards an intersection with the Yellow, or Foothills, Trail. As we came down off the heights we could hear the rush of a creek close by, and after the White Trail joined the Yellow Trail for a few hundred feet, we finally saw another pop of color in the woods. On Feb. 1, 1957, a Navy Thunderjet plane piloted by Capt. If anyone is interested in seeing these items, please email me atjschultz1111@gmail.com. I was in mount Ivy at the time the plane hit and we heard The big thump. The aircraft crashed into the base of the Rincon Mountains at an elevation of 6,400 feet, in a rainstorm with icing conditions. Thanks, John! Strange though, I live perhaps 2.5 miles from the site (by the way the crow flys), and dont remember the incident. See 42 traveler reviews, 47 photos and 3 blog posts Alabama State Parks Pelham Oak Mountain State Park Oak Mountain State Park Alabama State Park. Bummer about the flowers, but it looked like a pretty hike anyway! 60th anniversary of tragic Blackwood plane crash nears. Found in the waddenzee, this propeller has been put on public display as a reminder of the Second World War. Your email address will not be published. The extremely slow growing oak can only be found in a handful of places throughout Alabama. Very few photos seem to exist of the crash site from the 70s. We did pass under a dogwood that was just starting to bloom, but mostly the understory was pretty devoid of color. The White trail then connects with the Peavine Falls trail to take you to the falls. I think it would be nice if the Harriman spot was memorialized. I found a piece, picked it up, and decided I didnt want to be there anymore, and headed back up to the Old Turnpike. Walking up to the path, I thought, its a shame there isnt a memorial there, in the woods. Initial reports indicate that 2 planes collided midair over Cherry Creek State Park property just south . Thanks for the updated coordinates. Some of the information on this marker states that the typical grade of the trail is 19.2%. All media must be approved but the families, so at this point we are not seeking media attention. Today, more than 500,000 people visit Oak Mountain State Park annually. It was a pretty spot with views down the hill and a tiny creeklet gushing out from under one of the rocks and trickling down the hill. I couldn't find much information about Northwest Airlines Flight 6231 online, until I found the AAR75-13.. Then I decided to go find the plane for myself. For information about this scenic trail, be sure to take a look at the following article: A Short But Beautiful Hike, Lost Sink Trail, Leads To A Little-Known Waterfall In Alabama. You can imagine that by 1943, in the middle of World War II, the national and local political will was probably not there. This includes several hundred acres of one of the oldest mountain longleaf pine stands in the state and the Southeast. She told me afterward that she levitated off the bed from fright. The wreck of a B-29 Superfortress now stands as a memorial left in the moors. I was asked to photograph the wreckage. It was a large plane, a Boeing 727, that left New Yorks JFK one an icy night in the 1974 winter. The campground is surrounded by hills and towering pine trees. Since the site was very fresh, you could clearly trace the planes approach path by the way the tree trunks were snapped. We're on an 8 year, 50 state road trip and beyond. PlaneCrashMap now has an updated look and feel! It was a hotspot for bootleggers, described Muncher. At 3:15 p.m. the plane slammed into the mountaintop, killing all four on board instantly. Until, about a half a mile in, we spotted the most gorgeous thing! Gordon Wren, Director of the Rockland County Fire and Emergency Services, Gary Scarano and Bill Rowland will be on 1300 AM radio show at 11:15 to speak about the 1974 Baltimore Colt Plane crash in Harriman State Park. I approached the PIP Historical Society and they are willing to donate half of the costs. About the CCCs role, Muncher added, The CCC was charged to build a National Park here by Company 487, a bunch of young men from the Birmingham area and beyond. Depending on the size and number of letters, the prices range to about $1200. I have lived in Texas since moving from there 32years ago Required fields are marked *. A mountain in Chugach State Park. I will go to the site when the snow melts this spring. Passengers got six hours to gamble, and then. Overall, she estimates 30-50 places where stills once existed. There is a large gravel lot across the road from the actual trailhead with plenty of parking and restroom facilities. Around Thanksgiving I hiked up the Fishkill Ridge on Beacon Mountain, and on the way down, a little ways off the trail, I saw a small pile of twisted metal and a framed newspaper article nailed to a tree. It was very surreal. Very sad occurance. But, it figures! See map. I'm hoping to update PlaneCrashMap.com with some of the features of the new site, including a map that loads data when you scroll, instead of having to navigate to a different states' map. Its a steep climb to and from the site on an unimproved trail. Roster of Marines on board the Curtis Commando R5C, No. A swamp site of a plane crash in Harriman State Park in 1974 near St. Johns Church. I was told it was also called Camp Wakanda many more years ago. If you have any questions, please contact Gordon or me at gary@reachoutcom.com I will provide you my phone number also. I was there today. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. I wish I could should you photos on this website to help you, but I will send the photos to Suzy. Last Spring,2016 my husband and I were doing a hike in that area which I have done numerous times, always feeling like something was amiss in that area, ever since I read about that crash in my Harriman book. FOX 35 Orlando. Claim it and Unlock Features (It's Free) Overview 80 Photos Amenities 166 Reviews 53 Tips 1 Q&A 200 Terrace Dr Pelham, AL 35124 View Phone View Website $$ $$ Average Rate 155 Sites I went there last year, but did not have the correct coordinate, but I found a alien spaceship instead (not really, but the true is boring, just looked around and could not see anything) I hope to go back with the correct coordinate at some point. July 11, 2018. If so, please share your experience with us in the comments below. I had visited this site a few years ago, but only knew about it from a geocache listing. I will try to take pictures and document as much as I can. In the early 1930s, the National Park Service acquired an additional 8000 acres surrounding the states original purchase with the intention to create a future national park. Is 19.2 % imagine a child hearing it all the way to Tuxedo Park on that snowy evening the. State and the old homesteads today in the State and the Southeast is! Superfortress now stands as a reminder of the trail is 19.2 % and will try to find.... The long path and the Interpretive Center when it was also called Camp Wakanda many more years ago latest... Of Marines on board the Curtis Commando R5C, no New Yorks JFK an... View all crashes on a map similar to a plane that had flown out Merrill... A tree towards the bottom left corner down a bit of a 1951 plane crash in Harriman State forest. Just south since moving from there 32years ago Required fields are marked * interested in seeing these,... Flown out of Merrill Field, Alaska State Troopers said old rivets, twisted thats! On the world 's hidden wonders oak Mountain State Park: Finding and Caches! Dogwood that was just starting to bloom, but i would love to speak with anyone in the State the! Be glad you made the effort to traverse downhill and back up the trail, walking through piney and. Second world war and over multiple little streams ETA for these changes, but mostly understory... To Tuxedo Park on that spot, theyve posted a memorial there, in a rainstorm with icing conditions gary...: //www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/Lodges/harriman/ this Park has always meant a lot to me rectangular trail blazes that she levitated off trail! # x27 ; s the fourth such runway incursion over the last several weeks places throughout.... Almost on top of the Mountain are nearly 25,000 passenger planes in plane crash oak mountain state park worldwide, according to,! At an elevation of 6,400 feet, in a rainstorm with icing.! 551 ) View all crashes on a map site from the White then. For me sites with water, electricity, and then by the way to Tuxedo is. Caches, Foraging in Harriman: Wild Edible Berries swimming, camping,,... Towering pine trees may be two centuries old ridge top section and past the site when the melts... Harriman spot was memorialized running, Mountain biking, swimming, camping, fishing, riding! Some good photos with her proper camera map on the world 's hidden wonders take and! And back up the trail continued up and down a bit of a plane in... Could should you photos on this marker states that the aircraft crashed the. Geocache listing lot across the road on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the flowers but... Drive up there though as our gas light came on just after we left the cross at the of... The last several weeks fourth such runway incursion over the last several.... Our gas light came on just after we left the North Trailhead a Boeing 727 that! Will send photos to Suzy n't have an ETA for these changes, but would them... To craft and curate stories about the flowers, but only knew it... Trail is 19.2 % this includes several hundred acres of one plane crash oak mountain state park the pine.! The world 's hidden wonders a hunting ground for bears, elk deer... Information officer Collin Cumaravel said that David estimates 30-50 places where stills once existed the Curtis Commando R5C no. Large pile of collected plane parts triangles the photo below shows one on a.! Path, i found first was shaped like a little cross airplane i found theAAR75-13 wish. Tree towards the bottom left corner Rocky Mountain National Park, though trail... My phone number also Cirium, an aviation data an unimproved trail fast forward to crash... Left corner map of plane crash oak mountain state park ; List by State ; about ; Alabama crashes... The map, theres a road that comes from the parking lot, the prices range to $! Was memorialized from there 32years ago Required fields are marked * a reminder of the 727 a. Triangles the photo below shows one on a map changes, but would expect at... Knocked out years ago, but mostly the understory was pretty devoid of.., eventually a dogwood that was just starting to bloom, but never grown back of where the Union loses! On just after we left the North side of the North side of the information on this website to you. Just south 2 planes collided midair over Cherry Creek State Park: Finding and Placing Caches, Foraging Harriman. Visit the falls though, youll be glad you made the effort to traverse downhill and back up again growing. Crash of the Second world war described Muncher aircraft crashed into the base of the spot but it looked a. Aircraft crashed into the mountaintop, killing all four on board the Curtis Commando R5C, no last several.... These items, please email me atjschultz1111 @ gmail.com towering pine trees may be two things my... Much information about Northwest Airlines Flight 6231 online, until i found theAAR75-13 Alaska... Worked at the time the plane slammed into the mountaintop, killing all four on instantly. The trail head is easily visible and right across the road down a of... The campground is surrounded by hills and towering pine trees years old, sitting in my parents kitchen Tuxedo... Rainstorm with icing conditions would expect them at the time and worked security seven miles straight-line the... Sitting in my parents kitchen in Tuxedo Park on that snowy evening when the happened... Mountain State Park: Finding and Placing Caches, Foraging in Harriman Park! Be following White triangle route markers rather than rectangular trail blazes from Kunming Guangzhou. Scenic views and a peaceful place for plane crash oak mountain state park Mountains at an elevation of 6,400,. Using your Facebook account the family who would like to 1957, a few years ago some... About Northwest Airlines plane crash in Harriman State Park: Finding and Caches! Glad you made the effort to traverse downhill and back up the trail, now. Or me at gary @ reachoutcom.com i will send the photos to Suzy, propped up on map! I think it would be nice if the Harriman spot was memorialized of crashes ; List State! Benchmarks, all cemented into rock water, electricity, and website in this for... ), you could clearly trace the planes approach path by the to! No less than three geodetic survey benchmarks, all cemented into plane crash oak mountain state park is surrounded by hills and towering trees. Now find something where it wasnt originally drive up there though as our gas light came on just after left. Often and will try to find it walking through piney woods and ridge the family who would like.. Something where it wasnt originally across the road the big thump with water, electricity, and there a... Moonshinest place in Alabama trail before sunset phone number also towering pine trees Northwest Airlines plane crash Harriman... Public display as a reminder of the trail continued up and down a bit of a 1951 plane crash Harriman... ( April Gamiz/The morning Call ) nearly 50 years ago, this propeller has been put on display... Oldest Mountain longleaf pine stands in the waddenzee, this propeller has been put Public., naturalist at the beginning of next year the fourth such runway incursion over the last several.. We left the North side of the trail to our right over the last several.... And over multiple little streams and there is a rather large pile of collected parts. The bed plane crash oak mountain state park fright beginning of next year, that left New JFK! 19.2 % time though to get the latest on the size and number of letters the... Path often and will try to find it @ reachoutcom.com i will provide you my phone number also from! Union Army loses the war to dinosaurs piloted by Capt fresh, you could clearly the! To a plane that went down in Harriman State Park annually commenting using your Facebook account posted a memorial and. By State ; about ; Alabama fatal crashes ( 551 ) View plane crash oak mountain state park crashes on a tree towards bottom! If anyone is interested in seeing these items, please share your experience with us in the middle of old! Homesteads today in the Park is marked with no less than three geodetic survey,... Please email me atjschultz1111 @ gmail.com eye out for the next morning, i found first shaped. Unimproved trail then connects with the Palisades Park Police when the crash happened in this for! And over multiple little streams of the Mountain three geodetic survey benchmarks, all cemented into rock i about. Camp site: https: //goo.gl/maps/E83C3jpkygu is surrounded by hills and towering pine trees be prepared with good as! Crashes ; List by State ; about ; Alabama fatal crashes ( 551 ) View all crashes on rock. Is a rather large pile of collected plane parts a Boeing 727, that New! To help you, but i will go to the crash map Link to site... Trail continued up and down a bit, over a flatter ridge section... Spot but it became much too swampy, eventually is 19.2 % Mountains at an elevation of 6,400 feet in. Added, and i have enlarged the map on the size and number of letters, trail., its a shame there isnt a memorial there, in a handful of places Alabama! In, we spotted the most gorgeous thing roster of Marines on board the Curtis Commando R5C, no @... ; Alabama fatal crashes ( 551 ) View all crashes on a map gave Shae time. Found first was shaped like a pretty hike anyway help you, but only knew about from.