Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop - Banff
Courtesy of Friends of Banff - Visit their web site here http://www.friendsofbanff.com/blog/hike/cory-pass/
Fireside Picnic Area for the start of the Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop
Start the trail by heading east from the Fireside Picnic area - be Bear aware as there are some berry bushes along the trail to the turnoff for Cory Pass
Typical early trail
A remnant of the beauty of the original world created in perfection but now corrupted by our sin against the Creator King Jesus
The junction for Cory Pass heading north, the unrelenting steepness begins with minimal switchbacks
A look back to the junction
There are a number of overlooks to catch your breath as the scenery opens up a bit
Look back at Mt Rundle
More steep trail straight up. Cory Pass is for very fit hikers!
The trail looks like it should go straight here but it actually goes back to the left
Approaching the big overlook
At the big overlook where the trail becomes a little more gradual up to the pass in the distance. One big Gendarme yet to come though
Start of the big Gendarme, trail moves up and to the right
Another view of Cory Pass from the big Gendarme
Carefully descending down the Cory Pass side of the big Gendarme. Careful route finding needed here for safe descent
Looking back at the descent off the big Gendarme
Once you are safely down the big Gendarme you are greeted with this trail sign. Trail continues in a long gradual traverse along the west slopes of Mt Edith up to Cory Pass
Looking back from along the traverse
Almost there!
Cory Pass just before the rain comes
Adeem
AA
Dropping into the Gargoyle valley basin to circle around the north end of Mt Edith
Looking back towards Cory Pass
Around and up to catch the Edith Pass trail
See the small sign
Looking back as we came around and then up to the trail sign
Hiker trail sign and yellow flagging
Rainy wet Edith Pass trail
A long way in the trees, the trail eventually swings west and back to the junction where you went north to Cory Pass. I guess you have to do the loop once but if I ever do Cory Pass again I would return the same way I ascended and skip the loop. Well actually you can scramble Mt. Edith just before Cory Pass so a good reason to return.
Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop
- Difficult Hike: Class 1 – Steep Hiking, Some Use of Hands on the Gendarme, Some Route Finding, Recommended for Fit Hikers Only
- Altitude: 2,350m (7,708 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 915m (3,000 ft) to Cory Pass, approx 1,000m elevation gain for the Loop
- Ascent Time: 3 - 4 Hours to Cory Pass, the Loop 5 - 6 Hours
- Best Season to Scramble: June to September
Highlights
This difficult hike has great views once you grunt your way up to the big overlook; the traverse, the Pass and Gargoyle Valley basin behind are very scenic. In hindsight for myself I would probably just reurn from Cory Pass instead of doing the loop. The Edith Pass part is all through the trees and didn't enjoy that as much. Each to his own though.
Getting There
Head west out of Calgary on the TransCanada highway # 1, continue past the town of Banff a few kilometers and take the Bow Valley Parkway turnoff also called the old 1A highway. From this turnoff within .3km take the right hand turnoff for the Fireside Picnic area.
Route Description
Take the footpath heading east from the Fireside Picnic area. Follow this for approx 1 km to the junction for Cory Pass. Take a left heading north to Cory Pass. It becomes very steep and strenuous here with minimal switchbacks up to the big overlook. From the big overlook continue on a bit then up and down the Gendarme. From there the grade is easier and you traverse your way along the open slopes of Mt. Edith up to Cory Pass. From Cory Pass you drop into the Gargoyle valley basin as you skirt around the north end of Mt. Edith and then a bit up to the Edith Pass trail and a long hike through the trees back to the junction for Cory Pass then 1 km back to the Fireside Picnic area parking.