Post by chitz on Aug 27, 2014 12:18:00 GMT -5
This is a 1680 ft mountain on the Oregon coast near Manzanita. It climbs over 1100 ft in 2 miles. It lies within the Northern Coastal Range mountains. I haven't noticed anyone posting a FKT for this short but steep route so thought I'd be the first.
Since my brother has a beach cabin in Wheeler, OR I decided to make the 15 minute drive north to the Neahkahnie Mountain trailhead. Upon reaching the parking area for the trailhead which sits across Hwy 101, I set my Garmin 405 started it once I stepped foot on the trail. It was sometime between 8 and 8:30am. The trail has rocky sections, rooty sections, smooth sections and a few areas where you have to run through overgrown bushes.
The last little section to the summit is basically all rock and requires some careful footing, though there's no real danger of falling off. I encountered a couple from Vancouver, BC who were taking a break from their bicycle travel along the coast to get a hike in. I passed them just before the summit and chatted with them for a few minutes before heading back down.
My time from the trailhead to the summit was 26:13 and my Garmin read 2.07 miles. I walked and jogged back down so didn't record this time. On the way down, I encountered a guy who looked to be in his 30s running up the trail. He asked me what the conditions were like on top and I replied, "somewhat foggy but you can still see a portion of Manzanita Beach." He said it would be well worth the trip up with that report. About halfway down I was stung on my left knee by something with a buzzing sound. Not sure if it was a wasp or bumblebee but it hurt and my knee had some swelling for awhile before subsiding later.
This was not an all out effort by any means and I was wearing my heavier road trainers. This is a soft FKT and anyone who loves steep ascents and is in decent shape could manage what I did or faster. I know I'll make a more intentional effort on a future visit to see my brother.
(Neahkahnie summit marker)
CJ Hitz
Colorado Springs, CO
Since my brother has a beach cabin in Wheeler, OR I decided to make the 15 minute drive north to the Neahkahnie Mountain trailhead. Upon reaching the parking area for the trailhead which sits across Hwy 101, I set my Garmin 405 started it once I stepped foot on the trail. It was sometime between 8 and 8:30am. The trail has rocky sections, rooty sections, smooth sections and a few areas where you have to run through overgrown bushes.
The last little section to the summit is basically all rock and requires some careful footing, though there's no real danger of falling off. I encountered a couple from Vancouver, BC who were taking a break from their bicycle travel along the coast to get a hike in. I passed them just before the summit and chatted with them for a few minutes before heading back down.
My time from the trailhead to the summit was 26:13 and my Garmin read 2.07 miles. I walked and jogged back down so didn't record this time. On the way down, I encountered a guy who looked to be in his 30s running up the trail. He asked me what the conditions were like on top and I replied, "somewhat foggy but you can still see a portion of Manzanita Beach." He said it would be well worth the trip up with that report. About halfway down I was stung on my left knee by something with a buzzing sound. Not sure if it was a wasp or bumblebee but it hurt and my knee had some swelling for awhile before subsiding later.
This was not an all out effort by any means and I was wearing my heavier road trainers. This is a soft FKT and anyone who loves steep ascents and is in decent shape could manage what I did or faster. I know I'll make a more intentional effort on a future visit to see my brother.
(Neahkahnie summit marker)
CJ Hitz
Colorado Springs, CO