Cory Pass Loop

Cory Pass Loop is a strenuous 12.8 km (about 8 mi) circuit from Fireside Day-use Area over Cory Pass, across Gargoyle Valley, and back over Edith Pass. Expect roughly 930 m of climbing and about six hours on steep, rocky, exposed trail. It suits strong hikers who are comfortable with loose footing and route-finding, and want a full alpine loop rather than a short viewpoint walk. The distance starts at the Fireside parking area: it counts the roughly 1.1 km forest approach to the loop fork and the same access path again on the return.

From Fireside, cross the creek toward the picnic tables and stone fireplace, then follow the forest path to the fork. Take the uphill Cory branch for the clockwise circuit. The grade gets steep quickly; Cory Knoll opens an early view before the route crosses a forested ridge and reaches rocky gullies and exposed slopes beneath Mount Edith. Watch for loose rock from above and avoid resting under cliff bands. Snow or ice here can make narrow footing much more serious.

Cory Pass, around 2,360 m, opens onto a stark basin ringed by Mount Cory, Fifi, Louis and Edith. The descent is loose scree, with cairns and braided tracks instead of one obvious tread. Keep high across the basin and look for the brown trail marker near the forest edge; dropping too low can leave you climbing back to regain the route. This is where an offline map helps most. For a signature photo, turn back toward Mount Louis from the pass and leave some of the basin in the foreground to show the scale.

After the open basin, the trail climbs again through forest to Edith Pass at about 1,950 m, then drops steeply toward the original fork. The last forest stretch is gentler but feels long after the exposed high country; allow time and energy for it. If you want the Cory Pass view without the complete circuit, the shorter Cory Pass out-and-back follows the same hard ascent and returns the way it came, so it avoids the Edith Pass section but is still a demanding hike.

Mount Louis is the grey limestone tower dominating the view into Gargoyle Valley; its technical climbing routes are a separate undertaking, not part of this trail. Mount Edith was named for Edith Orde, an assistant to Lady Agnes MacDonald. From the loop, the key experience is the contrast between these pale, steep rock faces and the dark forested return.

A national park pass is required. Fireside has limited gravel parking, picnic tables and outhouses, but no food service; carry water for the full loop because there is no dependable supply along the route. Dogs are allowed on summer trails unless a restriction applies, and must stay leashed and under physical control. The exposed slopes are best tackled after snowmelt and before autumn snow returns; check the current trail report before setting out.