Field Notes: Mt. Baker Wilderness, August 2024

A+J enjoyed a beautiful summer evening in the Mt. Baker Wilderness in Washington’s North Cascades. They stayed at one of my favorite Airbnbs nearby (Greybird Retreat) and helped each other get ready — and J pulled out his guitar for a lovely serenade. After that we drove up into the mountains for a little picnic, some quiet vows, and a whole lotta views. They couldn’t have asked for better weather up in the mountains, clear for miles in every direction, even well after the sun set.

Artist Point is such a favorite spot of ours for an intimate adventure elopement—it’s shockingly beautiful, and for the most part, easy to get to. If you want to hike into the wilderness, you totally can, or you can take it easy and enjoy incredible views right off the road. It might be crowded sometimes, but there’s plenty of room up there to spare and we know all the good spots and trails where you can avoid most of the summer crowds. Plus… stay out a little later for some serene stargazing 🌠

Timing your Mt. Baker Adventure

Tip from a seasoned pro: The window to access this spot is very limited — from about mid-July through early October. Outside of that window, parts of these areas can still be accessible, though you may be dealing with road closures, snow blocking the trails. The reflecting pools up here don’t melt out until well into July, and October sees early snowfall.

My recommendation? Choose your date strategically, sometime between late July and end of September. Late July through mid-August offers the most abundant wildflower blooms. Later August and early September offer the best huckleberry picking opportunities and great weather. Late September gives you incredible fall foliage up in the high eleveation mountains. October can be dicy—if you want fall vibes, go with late September before the weather turns too far south toward winter. Oh, and there’s always a chance of rain and fog. That’s Washington, baby! We moody! ☁️

Planning your mt. baker adventure? Here’s What else to know:

Get in touch with a local photographer/planner — The first thing you'll want to do is secure your photographer! Even if you don't know exactly where or when you want to elope, it's good to reach out as early as possible. Many elopement photographers (like us) also double as your planner and can help you with the logistics along the way. They'll be able to help you pick a location and help you pin down a date! I highly recommend looking for someone local who knows the ins and outs of the area, including those hidden gem spots like this one. Plus, that often means no extra travel fees!

Elope on a weekday — Weekends can be overwhelmingly crowded pretty much anywhere you go in the region, especially in the busy season (April through October), so I highly recommend picking a weekday for your elopement. You’ll end up with less crowds and a far more intimate experience.

Leave No Trace — Please make sure to leave no trace as you go out for your wedding adventure. Don't leave any litter or decorations, stay on existing trails, and be respectful of other park visitors. Eloping in the wilderness is a privilege, not a right!