Romantic Mount Shasta Hiking Elopement in Northern California

Erica & Kristian reached out to me a couple of years before we were actually able to make this day come to life. It was really special to finally get to see all of our hard work, planning, and communication culminate for their epic elopement in Mount Shasta.

When we first spoke on the phone, Erica asked me if I could take a couple anywhere, where would it be. At the time, my husband had just started guiding up on Mount Shasta for work (yes, he climbed it every weekend all summer for two years in a row, crazy man!) and I was starting to spend a little bit more time up there. I’d driven through a couple of times as a kid but that was about it.

Mount Shasta is a really unique place – the people are just juiced on life, there are definitely some spiritual aspects to it, looooots of crystals for purchase…and while there’s limited food options, what they do have is pretty fab. Yaks on the 5? 10/10, my friends, 10/10.

The day before their elopement we hiked the trail we were planning on for their ceremony just to make sure everything was good. The next morning we met up for breakfast and then headed out to a trio of waterfalls for a swim. July in Mount Shasta is warm, I’ll just say that. Nevertheless, it was the perfect way to kick off such a special day. We all swam in the refreshing snowmelt and then headed back to their airbnb to get ready.

We hiked up the trail, E & K got dressed and then we had the most precious first look overlooking the majestic Mount Shasta, itself. Then, as the sun began to shift, the ceremony began – led by their dear friend Melissa. It was perfect.

The portraits I took this night are some of my favorites of all time, truly. The last time I had been to this trail was with my pup, Scout, the year before she died. I didn’t know then how special it would become to me – but being back there with such wonderful people for such an incredible day, just made me feel all of the things.

At the end of it all, I am so thankful for Erica’s question on our first phone call, and her & Kristian’s trust in me throughout the process.