Hiking on Your Elopement Day: How to Plan Enough Time to Hike and Get Married in Glacier National Park
HIKING ON YOUR ELOPEMENT DAY
How to plan enough time to hike and get married in Glacier National Park.
If you're dreaming of an elopement that combines adventure with intimacy, hiking in Glacier National Park offers a uniquely thrilling and remote setting for your wedding day. This guide will help you plan your hike and ceremony timing seamlessly, ensuring every adventure and moment is accounted for.
June 17th, 2024 | By Aundrea Eaton
If you're seeking a remote and adventurous location for your wedding day, a short hike in Glacier National Park is a perfect choice. The thrill of the unknown combined with the joy of hiking can make your wedding day truly unique. The specific trail you choose will significantly influence our time for pre-ceremony preparations and after-hike documentation.
Planning a day that includes a hike involves more than you might expect. It requires careful consideration of stops, breaks, photo opportunities, travel time between locations, and coordinating with the lighting and sunset. To simplify this, I plan out the route and timing for my couples. This blog post is designed to help you understand the amount of time you might need if you're considering a hiking elopement.
A Unique Experience
A hiking elopement is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. A hike that typically takes 2 hours to complete might easily extend to a minimum of 4 hours when you factor in photo stops, breaks, scenic views, and the logistics of managing a wedding dress in the wilderness. This unique adventure, tailored to your adventurous spirit, is what makes a hiking elopement so special and memorable.
Suggested Hikes and Estimated Times
To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some hikes I have personally guided couples on, complete with estimated times that include photo stops, breaks, and changes in elevation:
Avalanche Lake (West Glacier)
Estimated Completion Time: 4 Hours
Trail Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 748 ft
Consider the following: Avalanche Lake is a stunning hike accessible starting in May. Early in the season, parts of the trail may be muddy and it is mostly shaded. Parking is scarce in the afternoons, though it generally opens up around 5 PM. If you plan to hike here, it’s advisable to focus on nearby West Glacier locations. While Avalanche Lake itself is not a permitted ceremony location, there are authorized ceremony sites close to this trailhead.
Explore Avalanche Lake Trail on AllTrails
3 Falls - St Marys, Bearing, & Virginia Falls (St Marys)
Estimated Completion Time: 4 Hours
Trail Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 710 ft
Consider the following: This trail offers views of three waterfalls and typically has ample parking when starting at Sun Point. It is an easy hike featuring numerous scenic stops, where wildlife sightings are common. Should the Going To The Sun Road be closed, you can access this trail by taking Highway 2 around the park. The trail and falls are not permitted ceremony locations, but Sun Point is.
Explore Virgina Falls on AllTrails
Hidden Lake Overlook (Logan Pass)
Estimated Completion Time: 4 Hours
Trail Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 580 ft
Consider the following: This trail presents a challenging ascent and is subject to unpredictable weather changes. It is popular and often crowded, making parking difficult to find until after 6 PM. Be aware that the trail may close unexpectedly due to bear activity. If you choose this trail, it's prudent to have a backup plan; the Falls in St. Marys is the closest alternative trail. Access to this trail is only possible after July once the Going To The Sun Road fully opens. If there is heavy snowpack in July, the trail may remain closed. The best time to hike here is from late July to September. Please note, this trail is not a permitted ceremony location.
Explore Hidden Lake on AllTrails
Lake Josephine (Many Glacier)
Estimated Completion Time: 3 Hours
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 249 ft
Consider the following: This trail is relatively easy, but it's best tackled in the evening to avoid the challenges of limited parking and high foot traffic. Weather conditions here can change unexpectedly. For a shorter hike, you can take a boat across the lake; alternatively, you can start at the Many Glacier Hotel for a full out-and-back hike, or begin at the hotel and complete the entire loop. There are several routes available to reach this location. This trail is only accessible during the summer / late spring months after Many Glacier Road opens. Lake Josephine is an officially permitted ceremony location.
Explore Lake Josephine on AllTrails
Johns Lake Loop (West Glacier)
Estimated Completion Time: 2.5 Hours
Trail Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 183 ft
Consider the following: This trail offers a very easy loop with multiple routes available. You have the option to hike the road in winter, turning it into an out-and-back hike, or complete the full loop. During winter, the trail is accessible starting from Lake McDonald Lodge. In the summer months, parking is available closer to this location, effectively cutting both the trail length and time in half. Please note that while this trail itself is not a permitted ceremony location, Lake McDonald Lodge Beach is.
Explore McDonald Falls / Johns Lake Loop Trail on AllTrails
Choosing Your Main Location
Choosing your trail within Glacier National Park should be based on where the main area for your wedding will take place. Here are the main areas you can choose from, which will help with timing and coordination:
Multiple Main Locations
Can couples do multiple areas during their wedding day? Absolutely, but you’ll need to consider all parts of your day, such as pre-ceremony, ceremony, and post-ceremony activities; travel times, sunset times, etc. If you want to include multiple main locations and a hike, you’re looking at 12-16 hours to ensure you have enough time for everything.
Real-Life Example: Sarah & Matt’s Elopement
Sarah and Matt chose West Glacier as their primary location for their elopement. Their day was packed with visits to Apgar, Sandy Beach, Lake McDonald Lodge, and a hike on Johns Lake Loop. Concentrating all activities within West Glacier allowed us to cover everything in just under 13 hours. Below is a detailed timeline of their wedding day, illustrating how we managed to fit multiple locations into one seamless schedule.
Sarah & Matt’s Elopement Timeline
8:00 AM: Aundrea arrives at Whitefish Lake Lodge.
Pre-Ceremony: Sarah and Matt enjoyed some pre-ceremony downtime, getting ready and hanging out. They opted out of a documented first look.
10:15 AM: Departure from the lodge.
10:30 AM: Breakfast at Lula’s Café.
11:30 AM: Departure from Whitefish towards Glacier National Park.
12:00 PM: Arrival at West Glacier.
12:00 PM Activity: Quick photo session by the West Glacier sign.
12:30 PM: Arrival at Sandy Beach for the ceremony setup.
12:30 PM: Chilled champagne by the lake and a short walk along Sandy Beach.
1:30 PM: Wedding ceremony.
1:45 PM: Picnic and intimate celebration along the shores of Lake McDonald.
1:45 PM: Champagne toast and intimate celebration.
2:00 PM: Departure for Johns Lake Loop Trail.
2:00 PM Travel Time: 30-minute drive from Sandy Beach to Johns Lake Loop Trail.
2:30 PM: Start of hike at Johns Lake Loop Trail.
4:00 PM: Sunset observation.
4:00 PM Note: Due to cloudy weather, extra time was spent capturing spontaneous couple’s photographs.
4:30 PM: Departure from Glacier Park.
4:30 PM: Quick packing and departure within 10 minutes post-hike.
5:00 PM: Visit to Glacier Distilling.
5:00 PM Activity: Sarah and Matt enjoyed whisky and FaceTimed family and friends to share their elopement news.
6:00 PM: Stop at Dewdrop Inn.
7:00 PM: Departure from Dewdrop Inn.
7:30 PM Activity: While waiting to be seated, they enjoyed a drink at the bar, signed their marriage license, and recreated the photo of when they first met.
7:30 PM: Dinner at Abruzzo in Whitefish.
8:30 PM Note: Farewells were exchanged as they were seated for dinner, marking the end of the documented day.
8:30 PM: Aundrea departs.
Planning Your Hike
When planning a hike, consider the total time needed and add an extra 30 minutes before the hike for bathroom breaks and preparations. After the hike, schedule another 30 minutes to cool down, take a break, eat, and decompress. Proper planning helps ensure your day is relaxing and enjoyable. Below are timelines designed for hiking elopements, not including time needed for pre-ceremony documentation, the ceremony itself, or post-ceremony activities.
TIMELINE EXAMPLE #2
1:00 PM: Arrive at Sun Point Parking Lot.
1:30 PM: Start hike to Virgina Falls.
5:30 PM: End Hike.
7:30 PM: Ceremony at Sun Point.
8:00 PM: Sunset Couples Photographs at Sun Point.
9:30 PM: Sunset.
10:00 PM: End Evening.
When You Should Not Hike
Avoid hiking if you plan a day that includes the Going to the Sun Road tour or multiple events like a bonfire, drinks, dinner, and extensive travel. To give you an idea of what such a day looks like, here's a detailed timeline:
Timeline Example #3
9:00 AM: Aundrea arrives. Final preparations and packing the Jeep occur during this time, including a checklist to ensure nothing is forgotten.
9:45 AM: Depart for Glacier Park, traveling from Columbia Falls to West Glacier (30 minutes).
10:30 AM: First look and couples photos at Lake McDonald.
11:00 AM: Depart for the ceremony.
12:30 PM: Arrive at Big Bend for a 20-minute ceremony and photographs, totaling about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
1:30 PM: Couples photos, allowing 15 minutes between locations and 20 minutes at each, totaling about 1 hour of photos and 45 minutes of driving.
3:30 PM: Arrive at Sun Point Parking Lot to prepare for the hike. Allow 30 minutes for bathroom breaks and final preparations.
4:00 PM: Start hike to Virginia Falls, taking approximately 4 hours, viewing three waterfalls along the way. The Sun Point trailhead offers better parking and scenic variety.
8:00 PM: End hike. Take time to pack up the car, check makeup and hair, and stretch.
8:30 PM: Arrive at Sun Point for sunset photographs, typically lasting an hour.
10:00 PM: End sunset photographs.
11:30 PM: Arrive in Coram for a bonfire and brews.
1:00 AM: End of the evening. Drop-off at lodge/Airbnb in Columbia Falls.
This day totals 16 hours of photography coverage with a Jeep Adventure, illustrating the extensive planning required for a full day of activities, travel, and capturing all moments in Glacier National Park.
Hiking on your elopement day in Glacier National Park can add an unforgettable adventure to your wedding experience. With proper planning and the right information, your day will be as seamless as it is breathtaking. Ready to start planning your adventure? Contact me to explore your options and tailor your perfect day.