A backpacking adventure in Colorado made for the most amazing Ice Lake and Island Lake elopement! | Morgan and Anthony
Morgan and Anthony reached out to me dreaming of a backpacking elopement in Colorado. They knew they wanted to go backpacking somewhere in the San Juan mountains in southwestern Colorado. Ultimately, we landed on an Ice Lake and Island Lake elopement!
Ice Lake and Island Lake, located at 37°48’49.8″N 107°48’32.6″W, is not a destination for everyone eloping in Colorado. But, if you are willing to put in some work to get to your ceremony site, the incredibly blue water makes the effort 100% worth it! The hike to Ice Lake and Island Lake is a total of about 8 miles roundtrip if you choose to make it to both lakes, which you absolutely should. This hike is possible to do as a day hike on your elopement. So, you don’t necessarily have to backpack if you don’t want to. Morgan and Anthony knew they wanted a sunrise ceremony. Therefore, they wanted to be close to Island Lake at the start of their day and chose to have a two-day adventure, camping at Ice Lake the night before!
How to elope at Ice and Island Lake
If you are choosing to hike to Ice Lake and Island for your elopement, the best place to stay nearby is Silverton, Colorado. Other towns nearby include, Ouray, Durango, Ridgway, and Telluride. If you are traveling from outside Colorado for this hike, I highly recommend getting in to town a few days early. This will allow you to start acclimating to the high altitude. Drink plenty of water and electrolytes to prepare!
The best time of year to elope at Ice lake and Island lake is the summer time. If you want lush green and colorful wildflowers, consider a mid-July to mid-August elopement. While it still gets cold in the summer nights at around 12,000 ft, it is certainly warmer than fall evenings for an overnight stay. If you aren’t going to backpack, and just do a day hike, a fall elopement would still be beautiful in this area!
If you want to plan a backpacking elopement in Colorado and need a photographer who will happily hike for miles with you, then reach out to Mountain Marta Photography!
Getting Ready and the Hike to Ice Lake Basin
We started Morgan and Anthony’s adventure elopement, getting ready, at the trailhead, to hike to Ice Lake Basin. They packed up their backpacks. Morgan attached her wedding dress and bouquet to her pack, and they were ready to hit the trail! Before we officially started hiking, we all logged in to the overnight registry. Morgan and Anthony made a little note that they were getting married! The trail was stunning in mid-August, with fireweed flowers popping everywhere. It was simply beautiful. The trek up was a challenge, but we eventually made it to Ice Lake Basin. It was quite a celebration when we saw the incredible “Gatorade blue” water and jagged peaks of Ice Lake!
Setting up camp and details
Once we made it to Ice Lake, we set up camp. Morgan and Anthony pitched their tent, and I took some photos of their wedding day details. As the sun started to set, we all ate some backpacking meals for dinner and got ready for bed.
Star Photos!
But, before officially turning in for the night, we did stay out for some night time star photos! The best part about backpacking in Colorado in the summer, is seeing the Milky Way! Not only was the Milky Way out, but also a meteor shower. Watching shooting stars was the perfect way to end the first day of their adventure elopement!
Hike up to Island Lake, First Look, and Sunrise Couples Portraits
The following morning, we all woke up well before the sunrise. We got ready to make our way up to Ice Lake from Island Lake. It is just under a mile to get to Island Lake from Ice Lake, but be prepared for a decent climb! Once we made it to a nice spot looking down at Island Lake, Morgan and Anthony changed into their wedding attire. The sun was just starting to slowly rise. There, they had their first look to lantern light, and then we continued our way down to the lake shore for their couples photos and ceremony. Their couples portraits during alpenglow were so beautiful!
Island Lake Ceremony and Celebrations!
As the sun continued to rise and illuminate the peaks towering over Island Lake, Morgan and Anthony read their vows to one another. It could not have been a more stunning ceremony. The green color of the lake, the glowing mountains, and the colorful wildflowers surrounding them were all so gorgeous! After exchanging rings and sharing their first kiss as a married couple, it was time to enjoy a little picnic. Morgan and Anthony brought their backpacking stove so that they could have breakfast and some trail beers to celebrate! After breakfast, as the sun continued to get higher and completely light up the alpine tundra, Morgan and Anthony had their first dance. Just because they eloped at an alpine lake miles away from town, didn’t mean they were going to let that stop them from having their wedding day traditions!
Hike back down and photos in Telluride
Soon enough, it was time to head back to Ice Lake and get ready to make our way to the trailhead. Before taking down our tents, they signed their marriage license to make it official! They changed into hiking clothes, and Morgan wore an adorable t-shirt that said “Bride” on the back.
We took in all of the views as we made our way back to the trailhead. This hike is just the best! After making it back to the trailhead, we headed to Telluride. There, Morgan and Anthony explored Main Street and rode the free Telluride gondola for a few more couples portraits before we ended our time together.
Congratulations, Morgan and Anthony!
Beautiful memories and your job is amazing. I love every picture. Gorgeous scenery.❤️