I had done most of this route yesterday, not knowing it was an FKT- we parked at short sands lot so my partner could surf while I took the pup up Neahkahnie Mtn via Necarney Creek (one of several trails that meander down to the beach). Since I’m working on a yearly vert goal, I planned to traverse the mountain and descend to the further trailhead, then turn back and yoyo the route. Due to wanting to enjoy sunset, I turned around with the pup at the mountain summit and returned to the car. Later on I searched the fkt site and saw that not only was there a Neahkahnie route, but there was the exact way I was planning to go- not even from the main trailhead. So I planned to go for it the next day.
Started around 9am. Temps in the mid-50’s, no wind. The Necarney creek bridge is out so I had to do a slightly longer workaround, crossing on tree trunks. On the return, I wouldn’t bother to be delicate and just splashed across in my shoes.
I got up and over the mountain and sailed down pretty fast, reaching halfway in about 1:10. I knew if I could turn around and run back up quickly, I’d have a shot at a negative split and besting the current listed male time (2:19). My goal had been sub-3, realistic with a 50 miler last weekend and ~35k or so in the last 7 days. I’ve been focused only on vert and not on speed or too much endurance.
It felt absolutely delightful to feel strong going back up- definitely slowing down and my first bit of hiking but pushed up and over that mile, then started flying down. The trail is super rugged with tree roots and rocks- 2 miles from the end I turned my ankle and had to walk that off, but it was fine. I had about 17 minutes to complete the last mile and best the male time, reaching the parking lot in 2:14.
This is a stunning mountain with almost unmatched coastal views, much is tree covered with shade, and major trailwork has addressed the many downed trees and workarounds that were present a few years ago.