Despite the name, there is absolutely no overlook here, but it does provide access to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which I took eastbound. Some fly poison was flowering along the trail.
The trail headed up parallel to the parkway but was mostly gradual.
It was a little late for wildflowers, but some fire pink were still blooming.
In about 2 miles, I crossed over Howard's Bridge across a small tributary.
There was one spot to stop and take a break with a nice view. The overlook was boxed in by trees on the side but a nice long range view.
Soon, the trail reached Waterrock Knob and I took the trail to head up to the top. On our last visit, it was fogged in, but today there were great views.
I had a snack up here and then started heading back.
At the visitor center, I walked down the spur road to View Browning Knob. The plane crash was on this mountain, but had recently been removed by the park service.
Crossing the parkway, I picked up an unofficial trail that headed up Yellow Face, another 6000-foot peak in the Plott Balsams.
I made it to the top, but there was no view up here, so I turned around and started heading back.
Where the MST split from Waterrock Knob Trail to head back down the mountain, there was a nice overlook and stopped to enjoy the view.
I saw some mountain woodsorrel along the trail.
I continued past Soco Gap on the MST another mile or so. There was some Indian pipe along the trail.
The trail eventually runs along gravel roads, so I turned around after a while and headed back to the car.
I went back to Maggie Valley and had dinner at Legends, right next to the hotel.
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