Just as the leaves were changing colours and the larch’s were in their full golden glory, my partner and I joined our friends Val and Robin for a day hike in the Jumbo Valley. The pass was breathtaking with its fall foliage in full abundance and I knew very quickly that this would be the perfect location for an autumn elopement.

Getting There

You can access this spot from two sides - we drove south from Revelstoke on highway 23, crossing the Arrow Lakes Ferry and heading northeast past Trout Lake and south to Meadow Creek. From there we took a forest service road north east to a parking lot at the Jumbo Pass Trailhead. Unless you live in the Kaslo/Nelson/New Denver/Nakusp area, I would not recommend this route. The FSR is long and not in the best shape and the road from Galena Bay to the FSR is much slower going than Google Maps indicates. If you’re travelling from Revelstoke or virtually anywhere else, you’ll have a better time accessing the valley from the east. Drive southwest from Invermere on Toby Creek Road, past Panorama Mountain Resort. You’ll then turn north on Jumbo Creek Road and follow it west to the trailhead. I haven’t tested this route but from talking to others it sounds like the easier option.

Hiking

Once at the trailhead on either side of the pass, you’ve got a 4 to 5km hike with about 800m of elevation gain to the to the cabin. The hike will take a leisure 2.5 hours on a mostly treed trail. The terrain isn’t so simple simple that grandma could tag along, but if you’re inviting a few family members or close friends who aren’t big hikers, this is definitely doable. Booking the cabin for the night also allows you to break up the hike without none-campers needing to sleep in a tent. You’ll need to book the hut 2 months and 2 weeks in advance here.

Location

The closer you get to the hut, the better the views get. Before you know it you’re surrounded by 360° of breathtaking mountains. The last wildflowers are still in bloom and the larch’s are unbelievable. There’s a picturesque little lake down from the hut, or if you prefer summits you can hike a further 20 minutes up Jumbo Mountain for the highest vantage point. No matter what kind of mountain setting you prefer, the Jumbo Valley has what you’re looking for. The hut is extra perfect if you want to stay the night before or after your intimate ceremony. An overnight will allow for amazing photo opportunities in the evening or morning light, rather than fighting with the harsh midday sun like I was with Val and Robin. On a clear night you could also capture some epic shots under the stars!

What to Wear

This may seem obvious, but more and more I see couples straying from the traditional black and white and adding more personality to their elopement attire - which I love! In the autumn many people like to wear warm hues like yellows and oranges. These colours are gorgeous against green trees, grey rock, or blue sky, but if you want yellow and orange foliage as part of your aesthetic, you’re going to blend right in (like Robin’s plaid shirt)! If you're wearing a dress, consider warming up classic ivory with a pink or rose undertone rather than yellow or champaign. Check out how awesome Val’s pink hat looks in the photos compared to Robin’s faded yellow one. If a dark suit is what you’re after, navy is your best friend! Robyn’s pants look great against any colour, where as Val’s black ones fall into the shadows more than I’d like.

Ready to elope?! Need a photographer? I’ve got you covered ;)