For Nate & Lizzy’s adventure engagement session, we met up in the breathtaking North Cascade National Forest, near Mount Baker. They had just finished a multi-day hiking and camping excursion on the Wonderland trail that circles Mount Rainier and wanted something a little different, so we headed a little farther north. Up around 5000 feet, you can see it all, the windswept sub-alpine fir and mountain hemlock clinging to high rocky perches, bracing against an onslaught of wind and heavy winter snow. As your gaze traces upwards, you can see how the trees become ever more scraggly and scarce with increasing elevation until only jagged rock faces and glaciers remain, emptying in vast moraine valleys and meadows. It’s absolutely magical!

Some interesting facts about the mountains here – the official world record for most snowfall in one year belongs to the Mount Baker Ski area, which reported 1,140 inches of snow (95 feet)! Snow typically sticks around this area well into July, which means that the roads all the way up past the ski area are only open a few months each year and close as soon as the first big snowstorms hits, which can be as early as September. On this day, we lucked out with a relatively warm day and a beautifully angry sky that covered Mount Baker most of the afternoon until just before sunset when the clouds lifted once again. The rain even held off until we were just taking the last shots of the day! Seriously, it was incredible and my words here can hardly do it justice. Nate and Lizzy, suffice to say, both looked amazing!!! I loved their royal blue and mustard yellow and denim casual outfits to start off. They really popped against the rocks and trees! Then Lizzy’s long salmon color dress was absolutely gorgeous against the lush green trees and fall colors coming out, matched perfectly with Nate’s light grey suit and bowtie. Her flower crown was beautiful too and the perfect accent! We had such an awesome time exploring the area and even found a big snow patch to have some fun with too!

Congratulations Nate and Lizzy! You both rocked it out there and I can’t wait to photograph your wedding next summer! Enjoy a “few” of the many highlights from your gorgeous engagement session!