Fire Tower Lookout Elopement in Colorado Off of Mount Evans Road

This late August elopement was an incredible testament to the fact that in Colorado - you never know what kind of weather you are going to get.

These two planned their elopement by getting ready at a hotel in Blackhawk where I met up with them for getting ready photos and a first look. From there, we hopped into our cars and headed toward Mount Evans with our timed entry reservations in hand.

Once at the gate for the summit of Mount Evans, the gate ranger let us know the conditions on the summer: snow, ice, sleet, cold, lightening.

That was putting it lightly. We drove to summit lake where we waited for the snow/rain/sleet to stop. After about 15 minutes and no change, we started heading back down the mountain to find a spot that was out of the rain clouds. Luckily we found one just a few miles back.

These two said their vows, quickly amongst their closest friends and family on a mountain side while the storm clouds moved around in the background. After quick vows and family photos, the thunder started again (the perfect timing as it had stopped just enough for them to read their vows to each other) so we headed back down the mountain to Echo Lake. It was gorgeous and foggy there so we took a few more family photos before splitting off from their family.

We ended the evening roaming around the wet forests on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, and dancing in front of their headlights in a parking lot outside of Idaho Springs while the rain came down.

Because of the WILD weather, they never got to have their picnic, so we ended up meeting back up a week or two later at a fire tower lookout that I had an overnight reservation at.

These two were such troopers and hiked the mile up (over about 700 feet of gain at around 12,000 feet elevation). After getting ready (again!), they had their picnic outside of the fire tower. Of course it started snowing, again…so we took shelter inside the fire tower hoping that it would pass and we would get a gorgeous sunset. And Colorado did not disappoint.

If you’re looking to elope in Colorado, this is one of my favorite places to get married when you have a small intimate group, or even want to elope with just yourselves. It’s times like these where having a local photographer who knows backup plans, weather conditions + patterns becomes SO important. We were able to take unsafe conditions in a lightening storm and still have the most incredible day celebrating these two and their relationship.

Get in touch if you’re looking for an intimate wedding photographer in the Colorado.