Tom and I set off at 9:30am on Sunday, tracking south on Highway 101 towards Manzanita. A quick, 10-minute drive brought us to Short Sand South Trailhead, where we embarked on an 8 mile-lollipop loop (2,300' gain) to Neahkahnie Mountain in Oswald West State Park.
From the trailhead, we switchbacked down under large, majestic spruce and hemlock. We crossed a narrow, swinging footbridge over Necarney Creek, acutely aware that Short Sand Beach lay just beyond the rich, old-growth forest. Instead of pursuing that temptation, however, we ascended to the Elk Flats Trail.
From the trailhead, we switchbacked down under large, majestic spruce and hemlock. We crossed a narrow, swinging footbridge over Necarney Creek, acutely aware that Short Sand Beach lay just beyond the rich, old-growth forest. Instead of pursuing that temptation, however, we ascended to the Elk Flats Trail.
Several switchbacks along a fern-lined, rooty trail led to a clifftop meadow frequented by elk. Here we took in the view of Devils Cauldron, a cliff-rimmed inlet where the ocean swells churn into the sea caves below.
Back on the main trail, we crossed Highway 101 at the North Neahkahnie Mountain Trailhead (a shorter version of the loop begins here). The first section of the Oregon Coast Trail is cut through a thicket of salal. As the path switchbacks higher, northern views open up to include the coastal cliffs at Devils Cauldron and Cape Falcon.
The trail enters the forest near the top of the meadow. Multiple switchbacks later, it winds around the south side of the northern summit (not accessible by trail) into a beautiful woodland of moss-covered spruce. The clover fields were larger than I had ever seen before!
After passing through a section of dense forest, we dropped into a saddle before climbing to the south summit. The very steep and rocky path leading to the Neahkahnie Mountain Viewpoint is easy to miss. From the summit at 1,631', we were rewarded with expansive coastal vistas of Neahkahnie Beach, Manzanita and Nehalem Bay. Unlike the day before, we were blessed with ideal weather.
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| Date hiked: 6/2/19 |
A short while later, we arrived at the South Neahkahnie Mountain Trailhead on a gravel road (yet another trekking option). Back at Highway 101, we cautiously kept to the shoulder on the return journey. A mile and a half is more than either of us preferred to walk alongside the road, but we enjoyed stunning vistas the entire way. Carved out of the cliff face, the scenic highway drops above sheer cliffs that are covered in manzanita bushehes. Trailhead by 2pm (4.5 hours RT). Overall, one of my favorite coast hikes to date!
Pleasantly exhausted by our outdoor trek, Tom and I drove back to Cannon Beach for lunch and chocolate "sea foam" on the way back to Portland. One of those seemingly perfect days.
