Karst Spring Hiking Trail

Posted April 8th, 2007 by Chris

Distance:

10.2 km

Difficulty:

Easy

Elev. gain:

60 meters

Time required:

4 - 6 hours

Bikes permitted:

Yes

Dogs permitted:

Yes

Download GPX

Directions to trail head

The trail is accessed from the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742). From Canmore, drive 39 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail. At the sign for the Mount Shark Cross Country and Biathalon Range as well as the Mount Shark Helipad turn right, drive 5 kilometers to the Mount Shark parking lot where you will find the trailhead.

Hike Description

This area has been described as one of the most scenic in North America. As you will note from the second photograph, at Karst Spring the boulders and driftwood are covered with bright green moss. Overall the elevation gain is relatively gentle with a total of 225 meters of climbing but an increase of elevation of only 60 meters over 5 kilometers. This is probably part of the reason that there are often families hiking on this trail. The gravel road leads you through the Mount Shark Trail System into the forest above Watridge Lake. At the lake you follow the boardwalk and climb the trail along the creek to where Karst Spring exits from behind the rock face of Shark Mountain. Much of the landscape at Karst Springs has been formed by the spring running over and disolving the limestone in the area.

Bikes are permitted only on the first 3.6 kilometers of this trail.

The photos and GPS for this hike were sent to me by Dirk. This is another great example of one of the lesser known fantastic hikes in Alberta. I cannot wait to do this one myself.

The GPS track for this hike can be downloaded via the file attached to this post. Go to the "About" page for directions prior to download or use of this data. Please submit your feedback and let me know your thoughts on the hike. If you have the the GPS data for other hikes in Alberta please send it along with a couple pictures to chris[at]hikealberta[dot]com.