NOTE: This post was updated for Lethbian Love: https://lethbianlove.ca/2019/03/03/big-hike-to-bertha-lake/

Of the common interests Melissa and I share, it would be a love for the outdoors. Although we live on a prairie, we’re blessed to live a 2-hour drive from the Rocky Mountains in Alberta/British Columbia.

I already shared a Throwback Thursday of the time we went on our very first hike, The Bear’s Hump. Yesterday, we challenged Bertha’s Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park. And a rewarding challenge it was! Emphasis on challenge.

Let’s get this straight: I’m completely unathletic. I get tired just thinking of doing things physical. I love nature walks, and a bit of a hike is something I enjoy too.

Last year, we accidentally did a 10.5km hike on Mt. Baldy loop, which destroyed my knees by the end. Nothing that a beer wouldn’t fix.

So this time around, our goal was Bertha Lake. For some reason, I didn’t anticipate it to be anywhere near as difficult as Baldy, which is advanced, while this one is moderate. Maybe whoever wrote the guide should re-check the definitions?

Quick stats: 10.4km, 460m elevation, and 4.5 hours. The only stat I considered was the last one. To put that into perspective, my heart didn’t explode on the climb up but I reached 400% of my exercise goal.

I couldn’t believe how hard this was. I think it’s because the elevation gain felt like a solid up, unlike Baldy. After each switchback, I hoped for the lake…and then finally:

I’ll see about finding that pano photo that I took of this lake. It was beautiful, which only made the sandwiches and beer we packed taste ever better.

All along the way, we admired the resiliency of nature. The Waterton area was scorched by a massive wildfire last year, so many of the areas we’d normally enjoy have been closed off. It made for a beautiful, yet surreal hiking experience:

Another great hike to cross off the bucket list this summer.