As for the falls itself, it was mainly an upside-down triangular fan-type waterfall before twisting and turning into a cascade as it passed beneath the footbridge from where we were able to see the falls. There was also a steep and slippery scrambling path yielding a more open (less obstructed view) of the falls, which you see pictured at the top of this page.

As for the hike, it started at the Lower Bertha Trailhead (see directions below). Then, the trail went mostly uphill on a fairly gentle grade as it eventually yielded lakeside views after about 15-20 minutes or so on the trail.

During this stretch of the trail during our hike, it was muddy enough to reveal various tracks from hoofed organisms to even paw prints from grizzlies (which attested to the high amount of bear activity in September since it was berry season).

Throughout much of the stretch where the trail more or less paralleled above the western shore of Waterton Lake, it was very easy for me to get distracted with the vistas of the mountains rising high above the lake itself. There was even a short spur trail leading to a lookout point towards the backside of the lake as well as the mouth of the lake in the direction of town.

Shortly after this spur, the trail veered inland past a trail junction (where the path on the left continued along the lake). Beyond the junction, the trail entered a canyon as it narrowed and provided vistas of the folded mountains ahead. And after a few more minutes of hiking past berries and a few small cascades, eventually we reached the footbridge from where Lower Bertha Falls can be seen at the 2.7km point of the hike.

The outfitter in Waterton where I bought bear spray from suggested that I continue past the footbridge towards the Upper Bertha Falls and the lake nearby. Unfortunately with Julie being on the hike with me, the grizzly bear activity, and the lack of time we allowed ourselves for continuing on, we passed on that suggestion and turned back. Though I'm sure it would've been beautiful, it'll have to be punted to next time...