Karst Spring

We saw 2 Moose on our way to Karst Spring, (see photos) close to Watridge Lake and Shark Mountain. A lovely moss covered fairyland, in a Boreal forest, where the water comes out of caves in the mountain (21 degrees). There were many friendly hikers. The water is v-e-r-y cold.

Name: Karst Spring Hiking Trail
Distance: 9.5 km return.
Time: 3 1/2 hours return. Difficulty Rating: Light
Elevation gain: 200 metres.

Location: From Canmore, drive 39 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742 - gravel road) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre. Turn right 5 km. to the Mount Shark parking lot, where you will find the trailhead. This trail leads to Karst Spring, where boulders and driftwood are covered with bright green moss. The gentle elevation gain makes this hike a favorite with families, and the cool air near Karst Spring is appreciated on hot summer days. The first 3.6 km. are open to bicycles. Walking on the gravel road leads you through the Mount Shark Trail System into the forest above Watridge Lake, where a short descent puts you at the shore of this lake known for its trout fishing (don't forget your licence). Then follow the boardwalk and climb the trail along the creek to where Karst Spring bursts out of a rock face. The spring drains from passageways between limestone layers of Shark Ridge creating a Karst formation. Snow and rain water seep into cracks and dissolve the rock, creating tunnels from which streams begin.

Karst: The word ”karst” refers to a type of terrain, usually formed on carbonate rock (limestone and dolomite) where groundwater has solutionally- enlarged openings to form a subsurface drainage system. A mild carbonic acid produced from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, particularly the soil atmosphere, is primarily responsible for the solvent power of groundwater on carbonate rocks.
A trip to Karst Springs provides a sensational drive and a hike brimming with scenic surprises. The sites include the Smith-Dorrien trail and valley, beautiful Spray Lakes, an old logging trail, gushing Watridge Creek, shady forest paths, shimmering Watridge Lake, a boardwalk over a swamp, a short, steep climb and then to top it all off, a huge spring thundering directly out of Shark Mountain.