Jessie and Jessica | Telluride Just the Two of Us elopement
Savannah Chandler | Telluride Elopement Photographer
Jessica and Jesse came out to Colorado to celebrate their intimate elopement in the ever stunning San Juan mountains.
When we first started planning their Just the Two of Us elopement, they let me know that they had a very special connection to Mt. Sneffels and the Blue Lakes trail. This trail held multiple personal memories, including some very milestone hikes after facing adversity. We planned on meeting up near the 3rd lake then heading up Blue Lakes pass for their sunrise elopement.
Enter the Forest Service, and the decision to close Blue Lakes trail for the entirety of 2025.
Though I do agree that the trail was due for some much needed work, including a new parking lot, it was such a bummer to hear that the trail would be closed for the entire year. With the parking area off limits, there was only one way to enter the Blue Lakes region – up and over a very gnarly pass from the Ouray side.
Plans were swapped to meet at the top of Yankee Boy pass and then hike up and over Blue Lakes pass to access the trail.
Enter a broken ankle and bad weather.
Just a few weeks before their elopement, Jessica had a motorcycle flip onto her foot and break her ankle. The hike up and over the pass is full of steep and slidey scree – none of which is good for someone who was recovering from an injury. To add insult, Colorado decided it would be a great day to have snow flurries up high and winds topping out around 50-60MPH. Another pivot would be needed.
Pivoting from Hiking to some local 4×4 routes
We made the tough call to pivot away from hiking up the pass to finding mountainous areas that would have lots and lots of fall foliage. First we looked at the Crested Butte area, but Jesse and Jessica fell in love with Telluride while staying there the few days leading up to their elopement.
Here is where having a local photographer comes in handy.
I knew that Mt. Sneffels held many memories and meaning for Jesse and Jessica, but the road that one would normally take to get prime views of this stunning 14,000′ peak was closed to all vehicles. I remembered an elopement that I photographed back in 2023 where we took a 4×4 road to a stunning and secluded spot that had backside views of Mt. Sneffels. And NO PEOPLE around (which is why this place will remain in my Local’s secret pile and not be named 😉 ).
We met up at the gas station in town, and took the 4×4’s up to the end of the road, where we hopped out to find fall foliage everywhere and dramatic views of Sneffels. Just what Jesse and Jessica were looking for.
After taking some portraits and walking around for a bit, we headed back on the road to one of the overlooks that we all agreed had some of the best sweeping views and would make for the perfect place to say their vows.
After vows, we headed back towards town to catch ANOTHER 4×4 road that leads up and over into the town of Telluride – Last Dollar Road. If you’re in the area, this is one of my favorite roads to take into town. The views of Mt. Wilson are just stunning, and there’s aspen trees as far as the eye can see.
Telluride – Mountain Views and watching the Super Moon
Once we made it to Telluride, we had roughly 30-45 minutes of light left before the sun went down. We all piled into the free gondola (one of the COOLEST things about Telluride) to get some top of the mountain views.
Up top, we ran into a few other photographers, including Mountain Marta that we said hello to! It’s always fun to see a photographer friend out in the wild ;). It was pretty wild though that there were that many couples taking photos in the same location, on a MONDAY evening. The weekday elopement secret is out, I suppose.
We spend the following half hour wandering around at the top of the mountain, getting some of the best fall backlighting I’ve ever experienced. As the sun began to set, we waited at the San Sofia wedding deck for the super moon to rise and catch a few photos before full darkness set in.
Congratulations again, Jessica and Jesse! I had such an amazing time celebrating with you two, even if it was not our original plan, it was the elopement that was always meant to be.
Cheers-
