Bertha Peak Scramble

Lat/Lon: 49.0389 °N, 113 .9444 °W - CLICK FOR TOPO MAP
Bertha Peak is actually the unofficial name of this easy-moderate scrambling
objective that overlooks the town of Waterton in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Waterton Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International
Peace Park and a Biosphere Reserve, the only park in the world that has all three
designations. At 203 square miles, Waterton Lakes National Park is the smallest
Canadian National Park.   It borders Glacier National Park in Montana.   Together
they make up the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (formed in 1932). You
can actually paddle to and fro the US and Canada in Cameron Lake. The North
Boundary Trail also intersects both parks.    Waterton Lakes National Park sits at one
of the narrower sections of the Rocky Mountains (Crown of the Continent).   Bertha
overlooks Waterton Lake, for most of your accent, which is the deepest lake in
the Canadian Rockies.

The unique geography of Waterton Lakes National Park provides habitat for a diverse
group of wildlife and vegetation species. The dry prairie adjoins the alpine region
with no transition zone creating a unique habitat that combines species from both
regions.    There are more than 234 species of birds, 57 species of mammals and
17 species of fish sighted in Waterton Lakes National Park.    In recent years
botanists have recorded some 900 different species of wild flowers in Waterton,
more than half the number of species in all of Alberta. Prairie plants mix with alpine
plants, plants from west of the continental divide mix with plants from east of the
continental divide and plants that are not found anywhere else in Canada can be
found here.

Bertha Ekelund, for whom Bertha Peak was unofficially named, was an early resident
of the area who gained notoriety by attempting to pass counterfeit money and ended
up in jail as a result.   The only published route on Bertha Peak is the easy to
moderate scramble up her eastern flank. You can actually start this scramble from
the Waterton town campsite.

Getting There
Alberta Highway 6 takes you to Waterton from Pincher, AB.   It becomes US Hwy 17
as you cross the border into Montana. Keep in mind this small border crossing only
keeps banking hours.   Drive into Watern Lakes National Park through the park
kiosks and into town itself.   This is a dead end road, that basically dead ends into
the town campsite. This campsite is regulated by Parks Canada.    There are many
scrambles in Waterton Lakes National Park that you need to hop in the car for, but
you can access Bertha Peak right from town.

Red Tape
You will be required to purchase a national park pass as you enter Waterton Lakes
National Park at the only entrance or exit which is on the east side of the park.   This
pass is good for all four national parks. If you plan many visits to Canadian National
Parks within one year, you should purchase an annual pass.   There are no permit
requirements to climb in Waterton Lakes National Park, but all camping is
regulated.   There is also a backcountry permit required if you plan on spending a
night in the backcountry versus the town campsites.   This can be obtained via the
parks website above.   Waterton Lakes National Park headquarters are located on
the right side of the road across from the Prince of Wales hotel, which is an historic
landmark built in 1927.

This is active grizzly country, therefore, you should always have bear spray on your
person.     I advise checking with Parks Canada for any area and/or trail closures.
The book “The Bear’s Embrace” is a true story by a couple from Calgary, AB
who survived a grizzly attack in Waterton.   It dealt more with the difficult recovery
from such harsh wounds and disfigurement than the attack itself.

When to Climb
As with most scrambles in the Canadian Rockies, the driest time is from June
through September.    I climbed Bertha Peak in July. The vegetation and climate are
more “west coast like” in the summer than any other part of the Canadian Rockies. I
have seen quite the lightning storm roll through Upper Waterton Lake.

Camping
The closest conventional camp site would be the Waterton Town Campsite.    The
closest backcountry site is actually up at Bertha Lake which you pass on your ascent,
therefore, it would make for a great place to camp.   You can go on line at Waterton
Lakes National Park to pick a camp site and obtain your camping permit.    You will
also be required to obtain your backcountry permit which is separate, but can be
obtained simultaneously if you plan on camping at a backcountry site like Bertha
Lake.    You cannot camp outside of the marked specific camping areas.   You can
stay in luxury at a variety of locations in town.   Although the Prince of Wales is
historic, it seems awfully pricey for what they offer.

Mountain Conditions
Waterton Lakes National Park's web site has weather, wildlife reports, trail closures,
etc.   Outside of the parks web site, Canadian Avalanche Association is also useful,
particularly for winter travel.   Canadian Alpine Accident Reports are also extremely
helpful.

Route
Along Evergreen Avenue on the southern edge of the town campsite, is a marked
trail to Bertha Lake.   It takes you approximately an hour and a half to reach the lake
on the maintained trial.

This is a 4000’+/- ascent. Once you reach the lake and follow the trail right to the first
campground, you need to leave the trail.    We bushwhacked through tall brush
behind the first campground you see on the right.   There might be less obstacles
further along the right side of the lake somewhere.    Break out above the vegetation
and traverse closer to the waterfall to the west and then start zig zagging on up
the eastern slopes and rock patches.    This portion can make this more of a
moderate scramble than an easy one.     The route finding can be a little challenging
and the rock is loose.

Once you break onto the ridge, it is a walk to the summit. Enjoy great views of
Blakiston and Alderson to the NW and some unique peaks to the south in Glacier
National Park (US).    There was a summit register in 2003.   This is a fairly popular
objective I believe.

What is the most unique feature on Bertha Peak?    A large Hoary Marmot who
persisted to try and break into the summit register after I signed it (photo).   He no
doubt enjoyed the salt from my hands, but also swore I stowed some food inside.   I
assume others no doubt feed him.

Essential Equipment
This is mostly a hike, but of course carry bear spray, helmet, map, compass and
whatever else you deem necessary.    Make plenty of noise or carry a bear bell as the
vegetation is much thicker in Waterton than other Canadian National Parks,
particularly on this scramble.

Trip Report
Waterton is just a great place to knock out some quick and easy scrambles when
traveling back and forth across the border.   It is a quaint small park/town and this
scramble is a quick introduction to the vast and unique vegetation system supported
here compared to further north in the Canadian Rockies.   The summit marmot on
Bertha is definitely not bashful.   Cheers!