June 26 – Lower Bertha Falls

When we got up it looked rather cloudy and grey. The forecast called for a band of showers to pass through around 9 so we had a leisurely breakfast and waited. When they never showed up we headed out.

The trail to Lower Bertha Falls starts just outside the campground. It was a 6.3 km round trip from home with a 180 m gain in elevation. The trail climbs diagonally in a straight line up the mountain behind the campground.

It is moderately steep to begin with then turns into a gentle climb to an open viewpoint down the lake. Then the trail turns inland along the side of a valley created by a stream from Bertha Lake. There is not much climbing along this section as the waterfall is just above the viewpoint in elevation and as we head in we are waiting for the stream to rise up to us.

As you can see this mountain was affected by the fire. While the fire was good for the forest and probably bad for tourism, it was great for views from the trail as there were no trees to block them.

We had a bit of every weather today. Starting out cloudy, then a bit of sun, then full sun and back to cloudy after we got back. The light rain finally came around dinner time. We were kind of glad it was a bit cloudy because the trail was very exposed and when it got sunny it got hot.

Right at the start there were some trees.

Then very wide open.

A photosphere.

Prepare for another onslaught of wildflower pictures as this open slope faces east and was just covered in them.

Lets start with some fauna. I am just amazed at the detail the phone camera can capture in these closeups.

This reminded me that yesterday’s trail around Cameron Lake was the first and only time we have encountered mosquitoes or any other annoying flying insect.

The view point was a great place to see down the lake.

The photosphere.

On the way back it was much sunnier.

From here we turn inland up the valley towards the falls.

Lots of huge twisted burned trees.

The stream is almost up to our level.

We thought this rock looked like a petrified stump.

Just before the main falls there is a smaller one.

and a photosphere.

I know we have posted these before but they are so interesting and look different at the various stages of bloom.

And at the falls.

and blurred.

I climbed up a bit for a closer view

And a photosphere.

Back we go,

Jennie likes to study the rocks, which around here are all sedimentary. The area used to be at the bottom of a massive lake covering most of the west and middle continent.

So many interesting textures.

Looking down on the town of Waterton.

It’s amazing how small it is considering about half of it, all the area closest to us, is the campground. Just 50 people spend the winter here.

Can you spot our little red car next to our home.

And then down to home.

The guy on the cruise yesterday had mentioned a place that had great ribs and brisket, which Jennie is a sucker for, so we went and grabbed some takeout. It was OK but not great and the portions of the side dishes were tiny, especially considering the big prices.

But what is amazing is how empty downtown was.

This is the main tourist street, always closed to traffic, at 2 pm on a Wednesday afternoon. I guess everyone is on the boats or hiking.

We really enjoyed that hike.