We started early — 3:30 am.

Driving out in the middle of the night, up a wild rutted-out forest road — it’s really happening.

We’ve been talking about this day for months — dreaming of it for years.

As we drove higher and higher the clouds parted. A full moon.

The forecast called for 100% cloud coverage. In for a treat?

We hoisted on our packs and began the climb. Watching the light change, ever so slowly, then quicker. Brilliant deep reds along the horizon and some of the most dramatic clouds I’ve ever seen. We were almost at the peak.

The hike had kept us warm — the wind at the top chilled us to the bone and invigorated us.

They didn’t mind a little cold. They wrapped up into each other — stopping to warm a moment.

But we weren’t just here for views and coffee. Though those are two of my favorite things.

No, it was time.

They fished out their books and the ring boxes — the sun just cresting over the horizon. Brilliant blues and reds and purples and oranges. A conversation. An interplay. Two worlds colliding, sky and earth. Two souls joining.

I led them through a ritual I like to start off all my wilderness ceremonies with. A grounding moment to breathe — to reflect and soak in all the senses.

Even the cold. That’s a part of it.

Take a deep breath in. Look around. Exhale. Close your eyes. Feel the cold. Hear the wind. Look at those clouds!

I’ve been up to this lookout so many times — and I’ve photographed over a hundred elopements by now. But there was something seriously special about this day.

The dancing.

Mist rolling through, clouds falling over mountain ridges like waterfalls.

One moment we’re watching them drift — the next we are in it. Immersed. “Socked in.”

At times we simply watched, in awe, mesmerized.

Toss back your arms, feel the wind — it feels a little like flying.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here, you need to see for yourself.

The early morning trek

Early morning meet up — trek to the trailhead — full moon above — colors of sunrise — reaching the peak.

Sunrise ceremony atop the mountain

total seclusion — a moment to breathe — handwritten vows — views for daaaays

Moody mountain magic

drifting clouds — windswept moments — watching the landscape change in real time

Respite in the fire lookout

The clouds rolled in again — another whiteout. We sought shelter in the fire lookout, shuttered in from the cold.

Pop on the Jetboil for another cup of coffee — and bring out the burritos. (And Nerds gummy clusters.)

What is hiking but a chance to eat great food in crazy places?

Feeling like flying

Clouds broke so we headed back out — burrito silliness — feeling like flying — catching the breeze.

Watching the dance.

The return trek

We left the lookout and began our descent back down — down into the fog we’d been watching.

Brilliant fall colors at their autumn peak splendor — red heather meadows, gold mountain ash, against the evergreen subalpine firs.

Scrabble & pizza back at the cabin

Winding down — wordplay — mozzarella moments — and of course a little cake to celebrate.

Trip report

Timeframe — October, early morning
Location — Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Weather & conditions — overcast + mix of clouds, 35-50 degrees, misty
Guest count — 0
Lodging — Hygge Hus Airbnb in Glacier, WA
Dress — Jenny Yoo “Marisol” + alterations by Six Feet Above Designs
Suit — Self Made Couture
Jewelry — Kataoka Jewelry
Hair & makeup — Anne Timss, doing what she always does, making brides look incredible all day even while hiking
Flowers — from Pike Place Market in Seattle
Burritos — Wake ‘N Bakery in Glacier, WA
Pizza — Chair 9 in Glacier, WA
Cake — made by Andre’s sister
Photography, Super 8, planning, & officiating — Wilderpines Elopements

Want to Elope in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest?

A few important things to know:

Hire a photographer that’s also a guide — Forest Service land around Baker offers incredible flexibility compared to national parks, but conditions change fast—snowpack, trail work, and forest road closures all matter. I help couples choose locations that match their ability level and season.
Choose a weekday — Baker’s iconic spots (Artist Point, Huntoon Point, Picture Lake, etc.) get extremely crowded in summer and fall. A weekday sunrise or sunset, planning a longer hike, or getting off the beaten path and looking for hidden gem spots (like this one!) can make your experience feel so much more private and intimate.
Permits — Depending on your plans you may need a special use permit from the national forest. Get in touch and we’ll help you figure out what you need.
Seasonality — Seasonality can be tricky here in these high-elevation alpine zones, between snow, road/trail access, and crowd management. Typically July through October are the best windows — tell us what you have in mind and we’ll help find a date and location that works for you.