A full day with 14 miles for a Colorado lake hiking elopement in Granby! | Anita and Drew
Not every couple thinks about hiking all day on their wedding day. But, Anita and Drew are not just your average couple! These two chose to hike 14 miles round trip to see one of Colorado’s most beautiful peaks for their Colorado lake hiking elopement.
They chose Mirror Lake in Granby, Colorado for their elopement location! Following the Cascade Creek Trail from the Monarch Lake Trailhead, the hike to Mirror and Crater Lakes is not for the faint of heart. It is about 7 miles one way to reach Mirror Lake with the views of Lone Eagle Peak. This trail is not easy. But, if you are willing to put in the work, the view is definitely worth it! Some hikers will choose to spend the night here before heading back. Be sure to look into backpacking permits if you do choose this route.
Are you looking for a photographer that will hike with you all day so you can get the most epic elopement pictures? Reach out now and let’s chat about creating your most incredible adventure!
Early Morning Start and Star Photos
When choosing to hike a long distance, it is always best to start early. So, we started Anita and Drew’s day in the dark, well before the sun was even rising. We took this opportunity to take some photos with the stars before officially starting the hike. The stars’ reflections in Monarch Lake at the trailhead were so beautiful. We played around with some lantern photos and used the light from Anita and Drew’s headlamps to create some magic!
The Hike to Lone Eagle Peak and Mirror Lake
Soon enough, it was time to start our trek. Anita and Drew filled out the wilderness log and left a “getting married” note. We hiked for a while in the dark. Just as the sun was starting to come up, we made it to some stunning yellow aspen groves along the trail. Anita and Drew’s elopement was in mid-October so this was the last of the leaves that still held on. After a few more miles of hiking, we made our way to Cascade Falls.
This hike is so great because of the huge variety in scenery. A waterfall, mountain meadows, and forests, give you that extra motivation to keep going. As the sun continued to rise, we reached a beautiful opening in the trees during golden hour. Continuing on for miles and miles, soon enough, we started to see glimpses of Lone Eagle Peak, so we knew we were almost there!
Snack Time and Getting Ready!
After about 7 miles, we finally reached the lake where Anita and Drew would have their ceremony. We all fueled up on snacks before Anita and Drew got ready and changed into their wedding attire. For long hikes like this one, many couples will choose to change at the destination to make for a more comfortable hike. But, you can absolutely hike up in your wedding dress if you would like! Anita helped Drew pin in his boutonniere, but then he stood by the lake with his back turned away while she changed into her dress so they could have a first look.
First Look and Reading Letters
Anita and Drew’s first look was very emotional. Drew definitely shed some tears when he saw Anita in her dress. Before it was time for their ceremony, Anita and Drew also read letters and cards that their family wrote to them. This was such a sweet way to incorporate their family members even though they were not with them on their big day.
Colorado Lake Hiking Elopement Ceremony
Finally, it was time to read vows to one another! Anita and Drew had the most intimate and heartfelt ceremony. Not another human soul in sight (besides myself of course)! If you want a Colorado elopement ceremony with no one else around, then I definitely recommend going for a hike!
Fly Fishing!
After officially saying their “i-dos”, Anita and Drew wanted to incorporate an activity in their day that is very special to them, fishing! They enjoyed some fly-fishing together on the shore of Mirror Lake. What an incredible experience to share on your elopement day, especially with such breathtaking views!
Portraits and Hiking Back Down
The day was so beautiful, but we knew we eventually had to start hiking back down. After enjoying the views and taking some couples portraits, we started to make our way back. When we made it to the trailhead, Anita and Drew proudly looked at how far they had made it on the map. It was definitely quite a long day, but every step was worth it!
Final celebrations to end a perfect Colorado lake hiking elopement!
To celebrate their marriage, Anita and Drew could not end their day without a cake cutting and champagne pop at the trailhead picnic table! They signed their marriage license to make it official and also shared incredibly thoughtful gifts with one another. It was the sweetest and most intentional wedding day for these two!
Congratulations, Anita and Drew!
What a brilliant day for this elopement! LOVE their colors and how happy everything looks! Fantastic job on capturing their love. x
wow! What an incredible day, my husband and I also read our old cards to eachother for our elopement. That champagne shot is amazing!!
Seriously!! So gorgeous and the fly fishing too – I love this! What a beautiful destination and trail for the couple and stunning photos !!
Now this is what a real adventure elopement looks like! Love all the special details and activities the couple included in their day – and you captured it all so beautifully! Great job 🙂
Gorgeous! I love a bride in hiking boots and a wedding dress. You captured their day perfectly, from the dark morning to the end with champagne.
I love how unique and personal every aspect of this day was to the couple! Stunning photos, especially in the mid day sun. Makes me want to check out this trail!