The trip starts deceptively – an easy stroll across a meadow from the fireside picnic area. At the intersection our group of 8 ramblers took the Mt Edith route up through a valley between Mt Norquay and Mt Edith. As we started up the trail, a raspberry patch full of fresh ripe berries, provided a delicious snack before we began the steady climb, up and up through the shady forest.
An hour of climbing brought us to where the trail forks, one way to Edith Pass the other to Cory. Beside the sign to Mt Edith some one had written “Very boring”. Our choice, however was scenic. Leaving the forest we climbed through an avalanche area of stunted bushes and a few flowers. Behind us the hazy shape of Mt Norquay with nearby Forty Mile Creek wreathed in smoke. In front the towering pinnacle of Mt Louis back dropped by a clear blue sky and on our right side the massive bulk of Mt Edith.
A scree slope leads into the Gargoyle valley and here we paused to watch several rock climbers spidering up a chimney on the north face of Edith. The trail up to the pass continues to climb steadily until the last section, which is quite steep and the small stones on the trail are as slippery as ball bearings.
Lunch at the pass, and Mt Cory, with its many avalanche chutes loomed behind us. The trail down zig zags sharply loosing 3000ft elevation in under six kilometers. At one point there is a rocky outcrop to scramble over.
The rapid descent left some with shaky knees and everyone was covered with a fine layer of dust from the exceedingly dry trail conditions. While the smoke, decreased the normally splendid views of the Bow Valley it was still an enjoyable if challenging day!