Exploring with Josh & Ellen for their Mount Cheam hiking elopement adventure session was one of the highlights of the year. These two are both adventurous and have lots of close family and friends. To get the best of both worlds, they decided to do a portrait session a month later in an epic location. I went to high school and university with both of them, so it has been amazing to see them go from high school sweethearts to forever partners.

It was a gorgeous August day, absolutely perfect for a Mount Cheam hiking elopement. After fighting traffic on the number 1 and stopping to get some corn from a roadside market, we headed for the trailhead. The drive-in was extremely bumpy and took us just over an hour, but Josh was a skilled and careful driver who only scraped the bottom of his Ford Escape once or twice. After gathering everything we started hiking up. It took us about 2 hours to get to the top while taking a few minor breaks to eat the blueberries along the trailside. We only say a few other groups, and only one was with us at the top for most of the time. The peak had 360 views of Mount Baker, the Fraser Valley, and the Cascade mountains, going as far as the eye can see.

The two of them changed into their attire and we took some portraits as the sun slowly set and cast warm glowing rays onto the valley and the mountains behind us. We stayed until dusk and were able to hike our way down to the parking lot without getting lost or having an animal encounter!

Tips for Eloping on Mount Cheam:

Have a 4x4 with high clearance: This is a non-negotiable and I can tell you from experience; your Honda Civic will not make it up there. There are times where you’ll have to cross large enough bumps in the road your vehicle might have one wheel not on the ground. If you or someone else is driving, make sure that they feel confident navigating terrain like this, and even with a decent bottom clearance, your vehicle might scrape a bit on the ground.
Plan for a long drive: There is around 10km of logging road that will take just over an hour to get through each way. Don’t trust Google Maps when it says you’ll get to the trailhead in 1.5-2 hours, but add an additional 1.5 hours for that extra driving time on the logging road.
Best time of year for access: Because the road isn’t maintained, it won’t be accessible until July, depending on what the weather has been like that year. This leaves the months of July, August, September, and October as options, and I highly recommend going on a weekday, as it is a very popular hike and the parking lot at the top is very small. August is usually best as the snow is gone, the wildflowers are out, and it’s still warm! However, if you want some autumn colours, consider going at the beginning of October.
Bring the right clothing & supplies: You will be hot and sweating on the way up, but once you reach the top, it can be windy and your body will immediately cool down. It’s always good to be prepared with layers, lots of water, and food to keep you energized. Likely you’ll want to watch the sunset over the valley, so make sure to bring headlamps and bear spray so that you’re safe and can find your way back.

How to Plan a Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop (specifically Mount Cheam):

Pick a date: I highly recommend picking a weekday for the best experience, as well as having 1 or 2 backup dates in case of bad weather. August or September are the best months to go for clear trails, blueberries, and warm weather.
Make a plan to make things official: It’s likely that your officiant won’t hike up to the top of the mountain, but contact me for information about someone who might! Otherwise, you’ll have to sign the papers before or after your adventure up the mountain. This can be earlier in the day or the day before or after; it’s up to you!
Secure a 4x4: If you don’t already have one, rent or borrow from a friend, or you can ask me about my vehicle availability!
Gather the right gear: Make sure to have all the necessary clothes & supplies for a smooth hike.
Have the Best Day Ever!