North Cascades Surprise Proposal

This was one of my highlight experiences for summer of 2023. I was lucky enough to tag along with my dear friend Brit over at Little Daisy Photography on this insane surprise proposal in North Cascades National Park. Matt is the definition of “if he wanted to he would”; he initiated this whole adventure with Brit about six months in advance, picked a spot that would be special for him and Kat, and elaborately mapped out where we were to meet them (Google Map images and all, a guy after my own heart) so that everything would go smoothly. Follow along as I dive into this once-in-a-lifetime experience and drop a couple of tips if you’re planning your own surprise proposal!

The Planning

Matt reached out to Brit early on in 2023 to plan this epic surprise proposal. He and Kat have made traveling to National Parks their thing (they’ve been to 17 since they started dating!), and that’s actually where they said “I love you” for the first time, so he knew that’s where the proposal needed to happen with their four legged fur child, Kali. Interestingly enough though, dogs aren’t allowed on trails in most National Parks! Two of the biggest parks in Washington state have super strict dog policies (Check out Mount Rainier’s pet policy here, and North Cascade’s here) in order to protect the parks and the wildlife, so Matt had to get creative when it came time to plan how he wanted to do this proposal. What did a loving soon-to-be-groom do? He found a trail that actually borders North Cascades National Park and allows dogs! Sweeping views of the Cascade range and their fur child while proposing at sunrise? A hiking couple’s dream.

Pro Tip: If you’re wanting to plan a proposal on a hike in a national park, it can take a little planning as some trails require permits and closures happen regularly during fire season! But have no fear, I’m here to help with that sort of stress.

When Brit first asked if I wanted to venture along with her on this, I said yes without hesitation. It seemed so iconic and I love the outdoors, so how could I pass this opportunity up?! However a week before the trip, I started doing a deep dive on the trail and realized we’d be climbing 2500 feet in elevation gain in two miles all before sunrise. I then started to obsess over bears, what to do if we were to run into them (check out the National Park Service’s guide on how to stay safe around them here), and if we truly needed bear spray (the answer is yes, yes you do).

The day before the proposal we headed up to Winthrop, Washington, a super cute small mountain town that gives off major western vibes. When I sent a picture of the town to my husband, he said “it looks like where they go out to bars in Yellowstone.” It was quaint and quiet, with not much going on, but we were also there during the week so that may have played a big part. Brit had rented a super cute hostel that was a treehouse cabin. Our living space was a literal tree house, with a queen size bed in the loft and pull out couch downstairs. The kitchen and bathroom were a shared space with other renters, but our sleep space was private! Check out the place here!

The Surprise Proposal

We left our cabin before 4 AM to get to the trailhead and on our way by 5 AM. Sunrise was at 5:40 that morning and Matt was planning on proposing by 7 am so we had to boogie our way up the trail as we weren’t entirely sure how intense it would be or how long it would take. It was still dark, there were only two other cars in the parking lot, and we strapped our headlamps on and started our way. While we both had googled the trailhead and what it would look like, I don’t think either of us knew, or expected, to climb an actual mountain that morning. As we started our accent, it was starting to creep into dawn and I was jumping at every sound in the brush, convinced a bear was going to pop out. Needless to say, we didn’t see any bears (not sad about it) but we did hear the infamous marmots and saw quite a few chipmunks and birds. I will gladly go on any hike a couple asks me to, but I will be internally paranoid about wild animals if we’re deep in backcountry territory until I safely arrive back to my vehicle.

We got there about twenty minutes before Kat and Matt, so Brit scoped out a spot in the trees and since they didn’t know me, I sat up top like a lonesome hiker practicing yoga and admiring the views. They arrived shortly after, and the magic unfolded as Matt dropped to his knee and asked Kat to marry him. This North Cascades surprise proposal was nothing less than epic, intentional, and intimate.

We then spent a couple of hours doing an engagement session, slowly making our way back downhill. I ended up hurting my knee pretty bad on the way down, but 10/10 I would do this again without hesitation. Matt and Kat were giddy and giggly the whole time, laughing and whispering to each other with that “just engaged” glow that just seemed to radiate off of them. I’m not sure where their wedding will be just yet, but here’s to hoping it’s in another national park.

Tips & Tricks if Planning to Propose!

A couple of tips for planning your own proposal!

• Decide if you want to have your photographer hiding where your partner won’t see them until after you pop the question, or if you want to do it during a planned session!

• It doesn’t have to be elaborate! If you want giant marquee letters that light up and say “marry me” with candles and roses, by all means, go for it. But if camping is your vibe, or playing pool while watching the football game at your local hole in the wall is special to you two, then go that route! Think of what is authentic to you. If she hates heights, maybe don’t do it in a hot air balloon ride even if Pinterest encourages it.

• Who do you want there? Do you want to do it in front of her whole family? Or is down on your knee just the two of you in the woods more special to you? Once again, think about what makes YOU two happy. If great aunt sally wants to see her niece get engaged but you know that she won’t love that idea, then listen to that instinct.

Pro tip: When planning a wedding, you’ll find that everyone and anyone will give opinions and ideas on everything. If you have overbearing family or people that want to be overly involved, use your proposal as practice with setting boundaries and focusing on your own wants and needs so that way you get the most out of what’s supposed to be all about you anyways.

Interested in planning your own adventurous proposal? Want to do your own surprise in the North Cascades or a priceless view in your own neck of the woods? Contact me here and let’s start planning!

Be sure to check out some of my other blog posts for location inspiration and tips for planning elopements!