Days of Noah are Here!

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop - Banff

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Courtesy of Friends of Banff - Visit their web site here http://www.friendsofbanff.com/blog/hike/cory-pass/

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Fireside Picnic Area for the start of the Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

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

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Typical early trail

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

A remnant of the beauty of the original world created in perfection but now corrupted by our sin against the Creator King Jesus

 

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

The junction for Cory Pass heading north, the unrelenting steepness begins with minimal switchbacks

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

A look back to the junction

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

There are a number of overlooks to catch your breath as the scenery opens up a bit

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Look back at Mt Rundle

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

More steep trail straight up. Cory Pass is for very fit hikers!

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

The trail looks like it should go straight here but it actually goes back to the left

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Approaching the big overlook

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

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

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Start of the big Gendarme, trail moves up and to the right

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Another view of Cory Pass from the big Gendarme

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Carefully descending down the Cory Pass side of the big Gendarme. Careful route finding needed here for safe descent

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Looking back at the descent off the big Gendarme

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

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

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Looking back from along the traverse

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Almost there!

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Cory Pass just before the rain comes

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Adeem

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

AA

 

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Dropping into the Gargoyle valley basin to circle around the north end of Mt Edith

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Looking back towards Cory Pass

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Around and up to catch the Edith Pass trail

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

See the small sign

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Looking back as we came around and then up to the trail sign

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Hiker trail sign and yellow flagging

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

Rainy wet Edith Pass trail

Cory Pass Edith Pass Loop

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.