This is what a Midnight Hike for a Sunrise Proposal in the Adirondacks Looks Like
If you’ve ever searched for a unique proposal idea in the Adirondacks, or anywhere epic really, this post is for you! As an adventure proposal photographer in Upstate New York, this is exactly the kind of experience we love creating.
Let me set the scene: It is just past midnight, and my partner – aka drone pilot, second shooter, sherpa, and keeper of my sanity – and I just arrived at the trailhead by car. In between the trees it is pitch black outside. We have 5 hours to hike the mountain, find a good hiding spot, get a couple hours of sleep, and prepare ourselves for the whole reason we are doing this: to photograph the moment Joe asks Michaela to marry him.
No pressure at all right!?
The Vision Behind This Hiking Proposal in the Adirondacks
Joe came to me when he first purchased the ring, looking for the best plan to propose to his forever person. He knew he wanted to do it at the end of June during a trip they already had planned to the Adirondacks. That’s about where the idea train stopped. And that is where I come in!
We talked a little about the things they love doing together, what she loves to do, and what would make the proposal extra special for the both of them. They both loved spending time in nature, hiking, paddleboarding, and just relaxing in the middle of nowhere.
We knew right off the bat we wanted it to be private- which can be difficult to do on any trail in the Adirondacks, especially in June. Michaela is a huge fan of sunrises, and though Joe isn’t the biggest morning person, when I suggested a sunrise hike… it just hit the spot.
Sunrise had the highest probability of being alone, and sunrises on top of mountains are just breathtaking. Add in a beautiful view and the love of your life to share it with and BAM! You have an incredible recipe for your perfect proposal. Just like that, we created an adventure sunrise proposal in the Adirondack Mountains- private, intentional, and completely them.
What it Actually Took to Make This Sunrise Mountain Proposal Happen
The Midnight Hike Up:
With something as important as a proposal, we couldn’t risk being seen hiking up the mountain right before our clients. We also needed time to scope up the summit and find the best spot to hide for. So naturally, hiking up at midnight felt like the right move!
To make this happen, we not only had to pack all of our photography and drone gear, we also had to pack water, snacks, sleeping bags and mats, and the little extras we like to bring for our couples to celebrate with afterwards. Check out the pictures below for an idea of what all that looks like!
With our packs on, headlamps lighting our way, and the adrenaline rush we get before every one of these trips, we took off on our 2 mile hike up the mountain. The trek was a bit rocky and our bags a little heavy, but we made it up in one piece in about an hour and a half. For those not familiar with the Adirondacks… short hikes usually mean you are going straight up the whole time… and this was no exception!
Sleeping on the Mountain:
Once we made it up, we took a few minutes to take in the sights. The stars were stunningly bright, and a welcome site after the hike up.
Then came the scouting. In the dark. Since Michaela knew what we looked like, we had to find a good hiding spot. I also had to let Joe know where exactly he needed to propose that I could capture it. I climbed a couple of trees, crawled into a few crevices, and ultimately decided the safest spot for me was behind a tree, covered in brush and tree limbs (next time I’m buying a ghillie suit, damnit!).
Once that was figured out (and we had a snack), we took out our tarp, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags, and slept under the stars for a couple of hours.
The 5am Hideout:
Sunrise was at 5:15am that day, so at 4am we packed up, hid any sign of us being up there, and assumed our positions.
My partner, Kalika, headed past the summit to a spot he could fly the drone, and I assumed my spot behind the tree. Before leaving, Kalika checked if he could see me, at which point we realized my shoes were reflective, so I took them off.
Joe received a text from me a few hours prior of a photo of where to propose, a spot that I also marked with two twigs. All we had to do now was wait. I’m not going to lie, the amount of anticipation while lying there in wait for about 30 minutes is insane! Thankfully, this wasn’t my first rodeo, and I knew that no stone was left unturned in planning a surprise proposal in the mountains.
The Mountain Proposal at Sunrise in the ADK
And then it was finally the moment! Michaela appeared first, taking in the view that was slowly being unveiled by the sunrise. Joe came up just behind, clearly spotted where to propose, and prepped.
A few moments later, Joe asked the love of his life to marry him. Against the backdrop of a stunning sunrise. On top of a mountain that they conquered hiking together. And of course, she said yes!
Can you imagine a better combination? This is exactly what makes sunrise proposal photography in the mountains so damn beautiful and special.
I gave them a few minutes to take in the moment before coming out from the hiding spot. We then took more photos, celebrated with a small picnic and champagne, and gave them a few more minutes to just be together.
The rest of the morning was filled with laughter, happy tears, and the realization we still had to hike back down haha.
How We Planned It
Outside of hiking up at midnight with all our gear, a bit more planning had to go into pulling this adventure proposal in the Adirondacks off. And I take all the planning on so that my clients don’t have to.
Choosing the Right Location:
Choosing the right location is one of the most important parts of planning a proposal in the Adirondacks.
The first was choosing the right mountain. After finding out where they were staying during their trip, we looked into mountains near there. Joe sent me a list of the ones he knew of, and I went into research mode. The perfect mountain had to:
- Be 2 miles or less of a hike
- Have a clearing at the summit that gave us a beautiful view
- Have the clearing also facing the right direction so that we could get the best colors of the sunrise. This one takes a bit more research to pull off.
Silver Lake Mountain Trail hit all of my and my client’s criteria, and is now on my list of best places to propose in the Adirondacks.
Timing the Sunrise Perfectly
Timing is everything when it comes to a sunrise proposal in the mountains.
This part is why we hike up the mountain so early – we never want to miss the moment. To time it perfectly, Joe knew he had to leave around 4am on the hike to get there between 5 and 5:30. Anytime in between there would be the perfect time for sunrise photos.
Because we truly never know how long a hike will take, I hideout a whole 30 minutes before their expected arrival.
I also have Joe text me when he is leaving so I can time where they are most likely at. When we are in a better service area, I have my clients send me their live location so I can track them, however in the Adirondacks the service is quite spotty making location tracking not an option.
Backup Plans
When planning an outdoor proposal in Upstate New York, flexibility is key.
Weather can be unpredictable, so we always have backup plans. We are constantly checking the weather up until the night before. From there we take a gamble.
The weather predicted rain all the way up to the night before, at which point it changed to the rain not showing up until well past 10am. We took the gamble and were so glad that we did.
We had two back-up plans just in case:
- Move the sunrise proposal hike to the next day
- Shift the proposal to a nearby river at sunset. We ended up spending the evening at this river instead paddleboarding, swimming, and celebrating their engagement!
What to Pack for a Hiking Proposal:
Bringing the correct gear will make your hike, and your mind, feel a whole lot more calm. Here is our recommended packing list:
- Fully enclosed hiking boots with ankle support – Hiking in the dark poses a whole lot more opportunities for potential injury from roots, rocks, and twisted ankles
- A hiking bag with shoulder and hip strap. These straps help keep the bag on you firmly without moving around, and disperse the weight in a way that its not all on your back.
- Water and snacks – because energy and hydration!
- Bug Spray
- Sunglasses
- Clothing layers: The hike starts out chilly, but once the sun comes up it’s going to be warm. You want to make sure you can adjust based on the temperature!
- The RING! – Okay, sounds like an obvious one, but the last thing you want to do is in the excitement forget to pack it!
- Headlamps- This is a must. Keeping your hands free while hiking is super important, and headlamps let you do this. I also recommend bringing spares in case one dies.
- Anything else you want for your own comfort
What We Provide:
We like to make sure that your proposal goes off smoothly and beautifully. To help with that, there are a few things that we bring to every proposal:
- Blanket to sit on
- Champagne or a non-alcoholic alternative
- Snacks
- Personalized sign
- First Aid kit
- Walkie talkies to better communicate on top if service is non-existent
For a full gear list of what we recommend for hikes and what we provide, check out our Basic Gear for a Hiking Elopement Blog here!
For the Person Googling this Right Now…
If you are looking for a proposal photographer in Rochester, NY or Upstate NY, and want a unique way to propose to your partner- you’ve found your wing man (well, technically woman!)!
Asking your forever person to marry you is such a special moment that deserves to be captured. And making it into an experience just guarantees the day will be unforgettable. The best part is, we do all the planning for you, so all you have to do is focus on what matters most: asking the love of your life to marry you.
This isn’t about going bigger, it’s about being more intentional with your proposal. It’s about honoring what makes you two an amazing couple, and making sure that shows through in your proposal.
What’s Possible:
A sunrise hiking proposal in the Adirondacks not really your vibe? There are so many other options! Here’s a small list to get your imagination rolling:
- Waterfall proposals
- Canoe proposals
- Multiday Experiences (check out our multiday experience blog that would make for an EPIC proposal experience here!)
- Hot Air Balloon Proposal
- Boating proposal
- A walk at your favorite park or street in the city proposal
- A brewery Proposal
The list goes on and on! If you think it, we can make it happen.
Thinking about Proposing in the Adirondacks? Here’s What to Know
Proposing in the Adirondacks is going to be stunning, no matter where you go. However, here are some tips that will help make your proposal extra thought out and special.
- If you’re going during the summer months, try and go on a weekday, earlier in the morning to avoid crowds
- Blackfly season is May to end of June, so keep that in mind if you don’t want to be eaten alive!
- Most peaks in the Adirondacks (including ones that are not in the High Peaks category) tend to still be physically challenging with steep inclines. Make sure to do your homework on the best spots.
- Keep in mind some areas require permits for parking and/or hiking
- Winter starts a bit sooner in the mountains, with snowfall coming as early as October. This also means the leaves change colors sooner than they do in the rest of the state. Plan your trip accordingly!
These are all areas we help with so you don’t need to worry about it. But in case you are looking to do this yourself, keep these points in mind!
Let’s Plan Your Surprise Proposal in Upstate New York!
Are you ready to have someone handle the stressful parts of proposing for you? Let’s connect. We’ll brainstorm together, create something that actually feels like you, and pull off a proposal that’s as intentional as it is unforgettable.
Connecting for a conversation is always free. Give me a little bit of information below, and I will start planning the dream proposal for you!
