Liberty Bell Mountain Washington – A Climbing Trip Report & Unforgettable Summit Elopement

Why Liberty Bell Mountain is One of Washington’s Best Climbs

Rising tall within Washington State’s North Cascades, Liberty Bell Mountain is an alpine climber’s dream. With solid granite walls, sweeping summit views, and an approach that is just the right distance from the parking lot, it’s no surprise that Liberty Bell attracts climbers in droves during the summer season.

One of the most popular climbs up Liberty Bell is the Beckey Route, a 4-pitch trad route that follows cracks, slabs, and an exposed boulder problem to the summit. For many, it’s the perfect intro to alpine trad climbing with a massively stunning view to reward climbers at the top. For Skye & Garrett, it became more than just another summit—it became the backdrop to their wedding.

Planning an Elopement on Liberty Bell Mountain

When Skye & Garrett connected with us about their rock climbing elopement, we were immediately excited. The Beckey Route is one they climbed together early on in their relationship and provided a fundamental bond for their relationship. Since we had a location, it was time for the planning:

The Challenge of a Same-Day Ascent & Wedding

The Original Plan:

• Climb & descend in one evening
• Hold the ceremony at the summit after the climb, midday

Why This Wouldn’t Work Well:

• Climbing midday = harsh, unflattering light for photography
• Crowded route = pressure to climb fast & no room for slower groups or anything to slow us down
• Wouldn’t have time for the prime lighting conditions

The plan we moved forward with: An Overnight Climb & Cowboy Camping at the Summit

This was an important moment for our couple and not just another climb, so Instead of rushing, we made the decision to:

• Climb later in the day to avoid crowds and bottlenecks
• Stay overnight at the summit for both sunset & sunrise photography
• Give Skye & Garrett more time to experience their elopement fully

This decision would completely change the experience for the better.

The Ascent – Climbing Liberty Bell’s Beckey Route

The Approach to Liberty Bell Mountain

Our team met Skye & Garrett in the parking lot on this early August morning. The plan was to gear up and wait for their two friends—one of whom would officiate their wedding at the summit the following morning.

The Gear We Carried:

• Trad racks & ropes for climbing
• Sleeping gear for cowboy camping
• Camp meals and water for the overnight
• Wedding attire & personal items for the couple
• Camera equipment & a drone for capturing the experience

We set off along the Blue Lake Trail, heading toward the climber’s approach. The first part of the approach was easy-going, but as we left the main trail, things quickly got steep.

The Final Approach: A Loose & Steep Gully

• This steep, rocky approach is the most dangerous part of the climb
• Loose scree & rockfall risk made every step an important consideration

Once at the base of the route, we took our gear bags off and reassembled everything for the climb. All of the gear we were bringing up with us meant that each party of the six of us had to carry our own bags for certain items. Nearly all the sleeping gear was placed in a large haul bag that the couples friends took charge to pull up the route so that we could enjoy the night in comfort.

Pitch-by-Pitch Breakdown of the Beckey Route and our climb

Pitch 1 5.3: The Chimney Start

• Moderate chimney climbing with solid gear placements
• Rob and Jessica started, with Garrett and Skye following with Bill and Traci coming up in the last pair
• Belay station at the top with enough space for the whole team

This pitch was very easy going and everyone made quick work up to the next belay station. The chimney was wide enough to ascend with gear bags on without a problem and most of this pitch resembles scrambling rather than 5th class climbing.

Pitch 2 5.5: An Awkward Start Into a Blocky Crack System

• More technical than the first pitch, but it has great gear placement and follows a straightforward path up the obvious crack system
• We continued in the same order as previously, however due to the awkward start, Bill and Traci tagged a line to Skye to avoid taking a fall on lead with the gear bags on their backs.

The second pitch is considered the most challenging for some, potentially due to the awkward off-width/chimney start required to gain the chock stone-filled crack and slab above. Once the first ledge is gained about ten feet up, the pitch is easy 5th class up to the next belay.

Due to the awkward start however, Bill and Traci opted to tag a line to Garrett’s party to ensure their safety while hauling their equipment up rather than taking the risk on lead.

Pitch 3 5.5: The Traverse Pitch

In our opinion, this is the most challenging pitch on the route. The traverse is committing and somewhat airy and coming up the slab and around the corner to the next belay station can certainly be intimidating for a new leader.

Pitch 4 5.6: The Boulder Problem & Summit Arrival

• The final crux (for some) of the climb
• Many consider this the most technical part, but for us, Pitch 3 had been the biggest challenge
• We arrived at the summit just as the sun began to set over the North Cascades

The idea of a 10 foot, unprotected slab problem at the very top of an alpine climb sounds intimidating, but let me assure you that if you’re a competent climber this should pose no serious risk. The slab problem is very wide, and while falling while unprotected is always to be avoided, it is most likely that you’d slide down the slab and back on to the nearby ledge from where you started.

With that said however, you must be very mindful here as the far left and right side of the boulder problem are no fall zones.

The Summit Experience – Sunset, Wildlife & Wedding Prep

Golden Hour Photography & Drone Footage

We arrived, settled in, and enjoyed dinner, all in enough time to capture the perfect colorful sunset. Skye changed into her dress, and Garrett into his groom’s attire. They shared a first look overlooking all of the North Cascades. Then we gleefully explored the summit for sunset portraits, of course, some had to include a bouquet of cams 🙂

Sleeping Under the Stars

• Some of us slept well, others were kept up by the woodrat’s antics
• Smoke from wildfires rolled in overnight, creating a surreal morning atmosphere

While it was the plan already, we could see the smoke building and knew it might be worse in the morning. So it was crucially important to capture some of the experience while we had the sunset in the moment.

This was the first time anyone in our group had cowboy camped at the top of the route. Liberty Bell Mountain is immensely stunning at sunset and has plenty of room to accommodate setting up camp at the summit.

Throughout the night almost everyone was visited by, at the time an unknown, rodent sniffing shoes, our bags, and sleeping bags. Later we found out we were visited by a Bushy-Tailed Woodrat. Even with his curiosity, it was the perfect temperature for camping and a lovely night in the open air.

The Wedding Morning – Sunrise Ceremony & Descent

A Ceremony at 7,720 Feet

• Skye & Garrett woke up to crisp alpine air and a dreamy even though smoky sunrise
• Their friend Rob officiated their wedding, weaving in their love for climbing & the outdoors

Final Portraits & Breakfast at the Summit

• The couple shared a quiet moment before heading down
• More portraits & final moments before breaking camp

In the morning, as soon as headlamps were no longer required, we all rose from bed and broke down our camps. We moved into the couples ceremony where the two shared the summit with nobody but the 6 in our group, enjoying this private moment in such an iconic location. Rob read the ceremony from a home made Mountaineers booklet. Skye and Garrett also shared private vows during their ceremony touching on the adventures that brought them together and how full their life will be as they continue those adventures.

After Rob had pronounced the couple married, some additional portraits ensued, followed by socializing and celebrating over our Mountain House camp meals. After finishing eating and fully breaking down camp, we began our descent from the summit.

The Descent – Rappels, Rockfall & A Wild Drive Home

Smooth rappels… until the rope got stuck

• All six members of our party safely + smoothly rapped down the 3 rappels
• Rob lead climbed an unknown route to retrieve one of our ropes that got stuck
• Meanwhile, Bill triggered a rockfall in the gulley, A stark reminder of alpine dangers

The Road Was Closed Due to Wildfires

• Instead of a 2.5-hour drive to the Bellingham area, Traci & Bill had to take a 7-hour detour through Leavenworth.
• Skye + Garret spent a few days relaxing and climbing in Mazama to kick off their honeymoon.

The rockfall danger is no joke! Even though Bill was mindful and careful with his steps, the chossy nature of the gulley has a concerning amount of opportunities for serious danger. Half of the group was already down the gulley when the rockfall was triggered, and thankfully, they had enough time to get against the wall on the sides of the canyon. Otherwise, it could have quickly become an emergency scenario.

The last piece of excitement was that the fire, which was rolling smoke in the night before, had created a situation where the road cutting through North Cascade National Park was now closed, causing those not staying in Mazama to drive all the way around the mountain to drive home. Thankfully it was a really pretty drive!

Why Climb Liberty Bell Mountain? Our Final Thoughts

• A perfect climb for first-time trad multipitch climbers
• An incredible summit view & climbing experience
• An jaw-dropping location for an adventure elopement

Things to Watch For:

• Steep, loose approach → Most dangerous part of the climb
• Rockfall risk → Essential to stay aware
• Crowds → Best climbed in the evening if you’re group moves quickly, otherwise, show up prepared for a queue.

Planning Your Own Liberty Bell Mountain Climb or Adventure Elopement?

• Best Time to Climb: July–September
• Gear Must-Haves: Trad rack, approach shoes, a 70m climbing rope, find all the important climbing beta here.

If you’re looking for either an exciting day out in the mountains or a wedding complete with one heck of a true adventure, then the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell Mountain in Washington will not fail to deliver. From the quality of the climb to the stunning summit views, this is definitely a route to check off the list!

Want an elopement like this? Let’s make it happen!

We’re a team dedicated to helping couples pursue their true dream wedding day while sharing in activities that are the most important and impactful within a couple’s relationship. That means none of the fluff others tell you is important and all of the true heart and passion that you know the day should be made from.

If you’re looking to get married in an unforgettable way, or the idea of an elopement on Liberty Bell Mountain is your kind of dream day, we are here to help you bring that dream into reality and to provide award-winning photography coverage along the journey. We can’t wait to hear more about your day.

Contact Us Here!

I wish I could give more than 5 stars…

I was blown away by their professionalism and the way they helped us pose, figured out where to do our actual ceremony, and dealt with smoke rolling in the morning of. Not only were they amazing to work with, but they are so much fun to be around and really made us feel special on the most important days of our lives. Our elopement was not an easy one, it included a hike plus scramble approach, technical rock climbing with heavy packs, and a bivy on the summit, but they were excited about it all. They are honestly probably one of only a couple photographers who could pull it all off, and they were so much fun to spend the weekend with. If you are looking for photographers for a technical elopement, look no farther! I would hire them again and again.

The couple

Skye + Garrett

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