Tillamook Coast Life Blog
Neahkahnie Mountain Hike: A Family’s Adventure above the Tillamook Coast
The Adventure Begins
On an unseasonably warm day in January (thank you, east wind), I decided to take a leap of faith and suggest a hike up to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain. Conditions were perfect for an adventure, and I was filled with unbridled optimism that our family of four (two adults, one 10 year old, one 7 year old) could summit the humble mountain without issue or complaint. Spoiler alert: this family endeavor exceeded all of my expectations.
North Side or South Side
Neahkahnie Mountain on the Tillamook Coast can be accessed from a family-friendly south trailhead (3.5 mile hike, 900 feet elevation gain) or a more technical north trailhead (5 mile hike, 1500 feet elevation gain). Wanting to set us up for success, I chose to complete this hike from the south side, hoping our local neighborhood walks up the “big three hills” had conditioned my kids enough for the elevation gain.
The Climb
We ended up getting a late start, which turned out to be a fantastic choice. The parking lot had cleared out by the afternoon and the sun was at its brightest and warmest, ensuring a spectacular view at the top (if we made it that far!)
As we started our ascent, I noticed the trail was empty. The sun shone through the trees, casting a dappled glow. The pines were rich, the ferns prehistoric, the moss green and plush, the broadleaf trees bare, exposing the striking Nehalem Valley as we climbed. A small complaint uttered from my daughter after the first switchback (there are quite a few to start) but I cheered her on and amped her up, knowing the discomfort would soon fade as the endorphins started pumping.
About halfway up, the trail levels out and continues through dense thickets of pines, their trunks so thin and straight, like they’ve been drawn onto the canvas of the forest by an artist. The sun poked through these trees, the east wind danced in our hair, and at this point, I was pretty certain that we’d make it to the top.
The Final Push
Quite a few trees had toppled onto the trail during the last wind storm, and although we were able to climb over them with ease, it’s a good reminder that trail conditions can change at any time, especially during the winter. This specific trail is suited for winter climbing, though — a canopy of trees covers you for most of the hike, and the trail is well maintained and frequently traversed.
My family was feeling good at this point, and my children, or dragons should I say, were running ahead to scope the trail and camouflage their wings within the forest. Their specific breed of dragon was made for this lush Pacific Northwest forest, and I marveled at their game, thinking I’d quite like to be a dragon who calls this mountain my home.
The final push is more of a scramble. It starts on a spine of tree roots, thick fingers stretching out of the ground, and transitions to exposed rocky boulders filled with handholds and footholds, not quite unlike the scales on a dragon’s back. Here is where your effort pays off. Where you find the gold. Where you see the entirety of the Tillamook Coast in all its splendor.
The Payoff
The view stretches for miles and it’s hard to believe something so beautiful exists in this world, readily available to those who seek to find it. The rolling green hills of the Coast Mountain Range stand in stark contrast to the golden white sand on Manzanita Beach and the turquoise glow of the Pacific, gently sending its waves to shore.
The top is rocky and awkward, and you have to work at finding just the right spot to snug yourself up to if you want to sit. There were a surprising number of people at the very top (maybe 8?) but there was room for us all to take in the view. How lucky we strangers must be, to share in this view, on this day? How lucky we are to be alive together on this wondrous planet, this flying anchor in space.
The Ride Down
The path down was, as expected, much easier than the trek up and never too steep on my knees. My children practically galloped the whole way, popping in and out of the understory to scare us at every opportunity they got. Little did they know there was a surprise in store for them at the bottom, a little-known law that I was happy to share.
The Law
After a strenuous hike, law dictates that you must consume a fair amount of fried food to build back your stores. I don’t make the rules, it’s just the way it is.
We arrived at our car and headed to Pronto Pup, home of the giant corndog in Rockaway Beach. Another unexpected perk of a late start to our hike? We were able to bid farewell to the sun as we sat on the sand, filling our bellies with veggie corndogs and tatertots, the imposing mountain we just bested looming in the distance, the glow of the family hike surrounding our spirits.
It was another incredible day on the Tillamook Coast, and for that, I am grateful.
Hike Rating
Total Hike Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: 5/10
Family-Friendly: 7/10
The Payoff: 10/10
