Waterrock Knob facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waterrock Knob |
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Waterrock Knob viewed from the Blue Ridge Parkway
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,292 ft (1,918 m) |
| Prominence | 1,947 ft (593 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Haywood / Jackson Counties, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Parent range | Plott Balsams Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Sylva North |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Waterrock Knob is a tall mountain peak in the state of North Carolina, United States. It is the highest point in a mountain range called the Plott Balsams. This makes it one of the tallest mountains in the eastern part of the U.S.
Many visitors and hikers love coming to Waterrock Knob. It's easy to reach from the Blue Ridge Parkway. There's a special visitor center near the top. From there, a fun hiking trail leads right to the summit. The National Park Service helps take care of the trail and the visitor center.
What's in a Name?
Waterrock Knob got its name from a special place near its top. There's a spring where water comes out of the ground. Long ago, hunters would stop here to fill their water bottles. This made it a well-known "water rock" spot.
Where is Waterrock Knob?
Waterrock Knob stands at about 6,292 feet (1,918 meters) high. It is the tallest mountain in the Plott Balsams range. It's also one of the highest mountains in the Eastern United States.
The mountain is located in western North Carolina. It sits right on the border between Haywood and Jackson counties. The very top of the mountain is part of the Blue Ridge Parkway area. The town of Cherokee is about 10 miles (16 km) to the west. Another tall mountain, Richland Balsam, is about 10 miles (16 km) to the southeast.
Hiking to the Top
You can reach the top of Waterrock Knob by starting at the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center. This center is located at milepost 451.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The hiking trail to the summit is about 0.6 miles (1 km) long. It climbs over 400 feet (122 meters) from the parking lot. The first part of the trail, about a quarter-mile, is paved. This makes it easier to start your adventure to the top!
Images for kids
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From the visitor center parking lot
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Taken from the summit of Waterrock Knob
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View of the Waterrock Knob parking lot and the Blue Ridge Parkway from the summit of Waterrock Knob
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Waterrock Knob Trail
