The complete trail to the falls and back is a 1.5 km loop
with
an elevation gain of approximately 80 metres. From the sign at
the
trailhead, the trail to the left (north) is shorter if you
don’t want to take the loop, but it crosses the creek
bed.
There is no bridge so the creek is impassable in high water.
The
trail is well used. It is hard packed soil and is not
overgrown.
The only rough spot is crossing the creek bed where the
bridge
washed out. You have to step over and around the rocks. Please
stay
on the trail.
What is Karst?
Karst is a distinctive topography in which the landscape is
largely
shaped by the dissolving action of water on carbonate bedrock
(usually limestone, dolomite, or marble). This geological
process
occurs over many thousands of years. It results in unusual
surface
and subsurface features ranging from sinkholes, vertical
shafts,
disappearing streams, and springs, to complex underground
drainage
systems and caves. Karst topography is named for the Kras
plateau
region of eastern Italy and western Slovenia (Kras is Karst
in
German for "barren land").
How Karst is Formed
The process of karst formation involves what is referred to as
"the
carbon dioxide (CO2) cascade." As rain falls through the
atmosphere, it picks up CO2 which dissolves in the droplets.
Once
the rain hits the ground, it percolates through the leaf litter
and
soil picking up more CO2 to form a weak solution of carbonic
acid:
H2O + CO2 = H2CO3. The infiltrating water naturally exploits
any
cracks or crevices in the rock. Over long periods, with a
continuous supply of CO2-enriched water, carbonate bedrock
begins
to dissolve. Openings in the bedrock increase in size and an
underground drainage system begins to develop, allowing more
water
to pass, further accelerating the formation of karst.
Eventually
this process leads to the development of subsurface caves.
Karst Creek is a good example of Karst topography. At the
earthcache is a waterfall. Instead of flowing down the creek
bed
most of the water disappears into a cave at the base of the
waterfall. Due to the porous surface, Karst Creek becomes a dry
bed
during the summer months. However, after heavy rains it can
turn
into a raging torrent making the creek crossing impassable.
Karst Creek Waterfall
To log this cache please email me the answers to the
following
questions.
1. What is the predominant colour of the limestone found
at
Karst Creek?
2. According to the sign at the trailhead, what four
features
can be found along the Karst Creek Trail?
3. The creek bed is usually dry but it can turn into a
raging
torrent after heavy rains. When you visited the earthcache
was
there any water in the creek bed or was it dry?
4. Why do you think the normally dry creek bed has water in
it
after heavy rains?
Optional: Post a picture of the falls. I think it would be
really interesting to see it at different times of the
year.
