The trail around Mount Edith climbs steeply up to Cory Pass (2360m). The first part is through forest and doesn't offer much (and the constant hum of traffic from Highway 1 isn't great), but once we got close to treeline, the views were splendid. At the centre of it all was Mount Edith, a very impressive looking peak that dwarfed everything around it.
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| Our first good view of Mount Edith (2553m), with Cory Pass on the left |
We stopped at Cory Pass to have a leisurely lunch and marvel at the impressive view of Mount Louis (2682m). Rock formations in the area, known an Gargoyle Valley, were quite interesting.
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| A well-fed chipmunk sharing our views |
Mount Louis is a popular climb, with the easiest route at 5.6/7. Not a trivial route though, as there have been rescues off the face (although no fatalities as far as I know).
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| Two climbers high up the Kain Route on Mount Louis. You can orient yourself using the next photo by looking for a small dimple on the right shoulder |
There were several parties hiking the loop in the opposite direction as us, which we found kind of strange. I'd much rather do a steep uphill and gentle downhill than the reverse, but to each their own I guess.
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| A view of Mount Louis from Cory Pass |
We also encountered two groups of trail runners. Looked like fun!
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| One last look |
From Cory Pass, the rest of the trail is mostly downhill, traversing high upon the north slopes of Mount Edith.
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| Heading down Gargoyle Valley |
At some point, we crossed Edith Pass, although it is so unremarkable that I didn't even realize it until we were well past. The most interesting part of the entire hike is definitely in the Cory Pass area.
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| A fat and surprisingly unperturbed grouse |
I will definitely come back to this area again, not for the hike but for one of the more interesting destinations; the Kain Route (5.6/7) on Mount Louis, scrambling up (moderate / difficult) Mount Edith, or scrambling up (easy / moderate) Mount Cory.
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