The Bertha Peak Adventure

 Life is...

...so tantalized by whatever is right around the next bend.

We tend to plan our longer hikes the night before.  Last night we decided it was time to get back on the Pacific Crest Trail.  We tend not to retrace our first PCT steps--straight up the Cougar Crest Trail--for two reasons:  (a) Covid (Cougar Crest is a popular trail.) and (b) We use up 2.5 miles from our mileage allotment just getting to the PCT trailhead from the end of the Cougar Crest Trail.

We decided that it was time to give the Cougar Crest Trail entry another shot because the Covid world is changing.  Also, Darrell agreed to spend some time on the PCT rather than just putting our toes on it at the Cougar Crest summit.  

And so began the mileage negotiations.  I always want to go faaaaarr on our long hikes; Darrell is the voice of reason.  We settled on 3.5 miles out, which would give us a mile on the PCT before turning around.  I solemnly promised (as I always do) to turn around at our target.

 

This morning we packed the snacks and water and were off.  The trail begins at the elevation of the lake and heads...up.  The picture, above, is on the Cougar Crest Trail, at our first lake view.

We made it to the trailhead of the PCT and easily did our PCT mile, hitting our 3.5-mile target.  But here's where I love Darrell extra.  He consistently hits our goal...and then becomes intrigued about what's right around the next bend.  Ooooh!  And then the bend after that! And how about just one more bend? (I swear I don't beg; I just follow, with a big smile on my face.)

As a result, today was the Bertha Peak Adventure.  Here we are at the summit, 8300 feet.

Just a little bit extra mileage--pretty much straight up--brought us to a sight we'd never seen.  Bertha Peak had always just been words on a map to us. 

Our highlighted route, on our fridge map

Here's Darrell on the final ascent:

That structure has something to do with electricity, obviously.  Now we can find the peak visually.  Darrell's pointing to it on our way back down, below.  Zoom way in if you can and you'll see the structure from afar.

This 9-mile adventure deserves one more lake view.

And of course...

...a Bertha Peak Adventure selfie kiss.

May you find adventure right around the next bend...or wherever you are.

Today's Blooms

We saw more of those sweet little purple blossoms at 8300 feet, flourishing in rocky, thin-air conditions.

They look great on my phone anyway.