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A man kneels and proposes to a woman on a mountain ridge with stone markers and scenic, cloud-covered mountains in the background.

April Bowl Trail Surprise Proposal in Hatcher Pass, Alaska

November 29, 2025

A man kneels and proposes to a woman on a mountain ridge with stone markers and scenic, cloud-covered mountains in the background.

This proposal adventure on April Bowl Trail began in April 2025 when Nick sent me an inquiry. Nick and Ali were planning a trip to Alaska in August 2025 and Nick figured it was a perfect opportunity to pop the question. He wanted to create a truly unforgettable proposal moment and I was so thrilled to help make it happen!

Nick and Ali met in August of 2019 while working as permanent substitutes at a school in Connecticut. Since then, they have built their relationship around exploration, travel, and shared experiences. They’ve visited Acadia and Arches National Parks, London, skied in Vermont, and frequently explore other new towns, restaurants, and hiking trails and Alaska was next!

For this trip, Nick traveled from New York and Ali traveled from Connecticut to explore Denali National Park and surrounding areas. They had never been to Alaska before and Nick wasn’t really sure where to start but luckily came across my work and we made it all a reality!

Mountain landscape with green valleys, rugged peaks, and a winding river, partially covered by low-hanging clouds under a mostly clear sky.
A narrow dirt trail winds along a grassy mountain ridge beside a small pond with a reflection of the sky.
Two people stand together by a low stone wall, overlooking a scenic mountain landscape under a cloudy sky.

How I Helped Plan their April Bowl Trail Proposal

Since Nick had never been to Alaska before, he leaned heavily on my location suggestions and local expertise. Because they’re both adventurers at heart, Nick wanted scenic mountain views and maybe a little hike but didn’t want to raise suspicion. I suggested a few trails in Hatcher Pass that fit the criteria and would be an easy detour. He took a look and really liked the views from April Bowl Trail and so the planning began!

To keep the proposal a surprise, I did the heavy planning lifting. I provided detailed Google pins, screenshots, and backup plans for weather and trail conditions as we got closer. We also discussed other location options, including Gold Cord Lake and Summit Lake. Cell service is limited in Hatcher Pass so most of the coordination happened ahead of time to make sure we didn’t have much that needed to happen day of. I even hiked up a few weeks before to scout it and get a more recent lay of the land.

Throughout the process I also sent Nick some general resources to prepare like a photo session guide and Alaska recs. He also filled out a questionnaire to help me customize prompts and poses to their relationship, preferences, and comfort levels for prompts and poses during photos.

A mountain landscape with rocky terrain, small lakes, patches of snow, green hills, and a partly cloudy sky; two people stand near the right edge on the scenic April Bowl Trail.
A person sits on a rocky ledge overlooking green mountains under a partly cloudy sky along the April Bowl Trail; another person holds up a phone on the right side of the image.

Seen above are some of the photos I sent after hiking up a couple weeks before.

A man kneels and proposes to a woman on a mountain ridge with stone markers and scenic, cloud-covered mountains in the background.
A man kneels and holds out a ring as he proposes to a woman in front of a stone wall with mountains in the background.
A couple kisses while standing on a stone ledge with green mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
A man and woman stand together smiling on a mountain lookout surrounded by stone walls, with green hills and clouds in the background.
Two people stand by a stone wall on a grassy mountain landscape, engaging in conversation with cloudy skies overhead.
Two people stand close together and smile at the camera on a stone lookout point with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Two people stand outdoors, one holding a small booklet open to a page with cartoon penguins, while the other faces them with hands partially visible. Rocks are in the background.
A person wearing a blue jacket hugs another person outdoors, holding a small brown notebook behind their back. A ring and white watch are visible on their hand.
Two people stand embraced at a stone lookout, facing a scenic view of green mountains under a cloudy sky.
Two people stand by a low stone wall overlooking a scenic, green mountain valley under a partly cloudy sky.

Their April Bowl Trail Proposal Story

On the day of the proposal, everything came together beautifully! We coordinated on timing in the morning and I reiterated the pinned location and address. I also sent a photo of what I looked like that day so he could easily recognize me. With my kindle and snacks in tow, I arrived early to blend in as a hiker and ‘take in the views’ at the top. It worked well because she didn’t suspect a thing as they walked up behind me!

Ali was genuinely surprised, WOOHOO!! The joy between them is soooo contagious and the whole time while taking photos we just laughed and had fun. There were also happy tears which is the best!

Every detail was carefully considered and executed. From the flipbook of inside jokes Nick created for Ali (100+ hand drawn cartoons, the perfect “callback” to their relationship’s playful spirit) to the champagne spray and the fun candid photos that followed the big moment it was perfection!

A satellite map showing a pin dropped at 30346-30372 Willow Fishhook Rd near Summit Lake, with mountainous terrain, several small lakes, and the nearby April Bowl Trail visible.
Woman with a long braid smiles at the camera in an office space, colorful sticky notes on a board behind her—perhaps brainstorming ideas for the upcoming April Bowl Trail adventure.
Perched on the April Bowl Trail, a person relaxes on a mountain slope, reading an e-reader and enjoying Nerds Gummy Clusters, with snow patches, a pond, and distant green landscape stretching out below.
A man and a woman walk hand in hand along a rocky mountain path, surrounded by grassy hills and cloudy skies.
A couple stands smiling together on a stone overlook with green mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
Two people stand closely together on a rocky area with mountains and green hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A man and woman stand close together outdoors, holding hands and smiling at each other, both dressed in casual jackets.
A woman and a man stand outdoors on a mountain, with the man drinking from a bottle, and mountains visible in the background.
Two people stand inside a stone circle on a mountain, sharing a drink, with a scenic view of green hills and distant mountains in the background.
Two people stand on a stone platform in the mountains, opening a bottle of sparkling drink with liquid spraying out, under a cloudy sky.
A couple stands on a rocky hilltop with green mountains, valleys, and a cloudy sky in the background.
A couple embraces and kisses outdoors on a mountain landscape, captured in black and white.
Close-up of two people hugging outdoors, with focus on one person's hand displaying an engagement ring and wearing a smartwatch.
Two people hike along a rocky mountain trail under cloudy skies, with green slopes and distant peaks in the background.
A couple stands close together on a rocky mountain trail, with steep slopes and patches of snow in the background.
A person walks along a rocky mountain ridge under a cloudy sky, with muted tones and minimal vegetation.
Two people, a woman and a man, laugh and embrace while standing on a rocky mountain trail with snow patches visible in the background.
Two people stand on a grassy mountain ridge holding hands, with cloudy skies and distant hills in the background.
A woman hugs and kisses a man on the cheek while being carried on his back, standing on a mountain with green hills and a cloudy sky in the background.
A man gives a woman a piggyback ride on a mountain trail, surrounded by stone walls and green hills under a cloudy sky.
A person gives another a piggyback ride on a mountain trail, surrounded by rocky terrain and green hills under a cloudy sky.
A woman and a man sit closely together outdoors, laughing and embracing each other. The photo is in black and white.
Two people sit together on a grassy mountain slope with scattered rocks, surrounded by distant green hills and snow-capped peaks under a partly cloudy sky.
A woman and a man sit closely together outdoors. The man has his arms wrapped around the woman from behind. Both appear relaxed. The image is in black and white.
A woman and man stand back-to-back, holding hands, near a reflective mountain lake with hills and clouds in the background.
A man and woman stand together by a mountain lake, with hills and sky reflecting in the water.
Two people stand on grass near a reflective mountain lake; one hugs the other from the side, with mountains and clouds in the background.
Two people stand back to back holding hands near a reflective mountain lake, with grassy hills and a cloudy sky in the background.

Kind Words after Their Surprise Proposal

After receiving their sneak peeks, Nick shared:

“We got the sneak peek photos and are obsessed. They came out so well, and we’re quite excited to view the rest once they’re ready. We loved working with you too! Thank you for your help throughout this process, your coordination on Monday, the sneak peek photos, and the photos to come!”

Ali later added after getting my email from Nick:

“I cannot thank you enough for all the planning, effort, and work you put into making this day so special for us. From you reading your Kindle at the top of the hike(April Bowl Trail), to the fun posing you did, to all of the Alaska recommendations, and of course to the stunning photos, I couldn’t have envisioned a better person to capture this special moment in our lives.”

I was smiling ear to ear for WEEKS after these emails. After their final gallery delivery Nick shared, “We have indeed been loving looking at all of the photos and showing them to our friends and family. Everyone has been in awe of them, and, frankly, so are we!” They also mentioned how difficult it was to pick favorites because there were so many images they loved (Oops haha!). Knowing that the photos resonated so deeply and brought joy to their loved ones is exactly why I do what I do. It’s an honor to be part of their story!

Two people walk along a winding dirt trail in a green, hilly landscape with rocky mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Two people stand holding hands near a small mountain lake, surrounded by rocky terrain and sparse patches of snow.
A couple stands closely together, embracing and smiling, outdoors by a mountain lake with patches of snow in the background.
A man carries a smiling woman on a grassy, rocky hillside under a partly cloudy sky.
Two people walk across rocky terrain near a calm lake with grassy hills and a cloudy sky in the background.
A man and woman standing outdoors near a mountain lake, smiling and embracing each other on a grassy area with water and hills in the background.
A man and woman stand close together outdoors, touching foreheads and holding each other, with mountains and water in the background.
A person stands on grassy terrain near a rocky hillside and lake, holding another person in their arms. Both are dressed casually and appear to be outdoors.
Two people jog along a grassy path near a small lake with rocky hills and patches of snow in the background.
A person lifts another in an embrace beside a still lake, surrounded by rocky, grassy terrain and a mountainside in the background.
A man stands beside a woman near a mountain lake; he kisses her on the cheek while she shows off a ring and smiles at the camera.
Two people stand smiling in front of a mountain and a lake; one person points and gestures with their hands, both dressed in casual outdoor clothing.
A cloudy sky over a mountainous landscape with a small pond and distant snow-capped peaks. A path winds through green hills in the foreground.

Planning Your Own Surprise Proposal?

If you’re not sure where to even start, this blog on How to Propose will give you a GREAT kickstart!

This Reddit thread has a lot of great third party advice as well.

I’d love to be a part of your surprise and help make it come to life! Drop me a line!

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