Pileus: convex; up to 30 - 50 mm diameter; covered in irregular red brown squamules on a white to cream base; dry; margin down turned but not inrolled.

Stipe: cylindrical; 50 – 60 × 5 – 8 mm; dry; white to slightly red brown and covered in red brown squamules.

Gills: adnexed; moderately spaced; pale ochre, darkening to rusty brown as the spores mature; lamellulae present in two intercalated series.

Flesh: moderately thin, off-white.

Spore print: rusty brown.                       

Spores:

Notes: this Cortinarius is a little like the European C. paragaudis and is probably in the subgenus Telamonia.