Hiked the Middle Fork Snoqualmie trailhead up till the Cripple Creek crossing, and then went up the bootpath to Lower Tin Cup Joe Falls.
I reached the parking lot for Middle Fork Snoqualmie trailhead around 7 AM, and there were only a few folks starting out early. Trailhead parking still had plenty of spots at 1 PM.
My goal for the day was to reach Upper Tin Cup Joe Falls, and I decided to start from here instead of driving the rough road to Dingford Creek Trailhead, which made it about 11 miles roundtrip.
The Middle Fork Snoqualmie trailhead is clear except for spots of mud. The hike back is a little annoying at the uphill parts - it should be a downhill stroll along the river - we are walking downstream right? :)
The bootpath up to Tin Cup Joe Falls is as expected. The steep parts aren't too bad - the tread is soft and not muddy or slick. The parts where you have to go over slick logs or roots are tricky, but given I could manage it, most people will be fine. Some parts do get confusing and you might seem to lose the trail. Some parts also require you to push aside branches, and with more plant growth this will get worse.
For most people this will be a fun jungle gym obstacle course, your going will be slow and there are parts of the trail that level out and you are always near to the gushing sound of the creek. There are thick trees as well, including a big western red cedar with part of its trunk in the stream. There is also a huge nurse log across the stream with lots of plant growth, so definitely lots of beauty on this trail.
I did fail to reach the upper falls. I stood at the lower falls, and knew I had to cross the stream, but one, I did not feel comfortable crossing the stream, and two, I did not see an obvious trail across the stream.
I did not meet anyone on this part of the trail today, except for a two person crew I met with on my hike down. They were working on the biggest log with a cross-cut saw, and had other tools to make it easier to navigate the trail. Thanks to them the trail is going to easier to navigate.
I talked to them about getting to the upper falls, and they did tell me some bushwacking is required, maybe I'll attempt it again when the creek is lower in late summer, but then there will be more plant growth.
Comments
Jmillzz on Tin Cup Joe Falls, Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
So I was there the other day. From the lower falls you have to go right and up the lower falls. It goes up a gully. Look the for a boot trail 2/3 of the way up marked by a small cairn. Follow it to views of the upper falls and thick brush. Make your way through the bush to the creek and base of the upper falls. You cross below the segment on the left and can go higher up. I didn’t cross there because I had other plans, but I saw an obvious boot path on the other side.
Posted by:
Jmillzz on Apr 28, 2025 08:30 AM
siddi on Tin Cup Joe Falls, Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
Thanks! I will look for that the next time.
Posted by:
siddi on Apr 28, 2025 08:49 AM