Tin Cup Joe Falls — Sunday, May. 31, 2015

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

It had been two years since I had been up here. The Middle Fork Road is now open on the weekends during the paving project so I took the opportunity to co- lead a group of hikers up to this wonderful place. Start out on Middle Fork trail 1003 and go about 5 miles until you reach the bridge crossing Cripple Creek. From here turn around and go back a few feet. You will see a boot path on your left (to the right of the creek) and get ready because the adventure is about to begin. First o would like to say please go with someone as there are ample spots where you could roll and ankle on this trail. This is not suitable for young kids or doge. Please leave them home. As you go up there are numerous blowdowns and the trail will not be obvious in many places. Look for the Orange marker tape and if you lose it just get close to the creek. The trail is never too far from it. At 1.2-1.3 miles you will come to Cripple Creek. You will see the bottom single fall of Tin Cup Joe Falls. You will cross the creek here and just to your left there is a climb up rocks and roots. Exercise extreme caution here. After you get up this short hill you will head right and go up someone until you find a safe way down to the falls. The place we found is where the two falls converge on a nice landing. It is not too steep heading down here. Enjoy some lunch, listen to the falls, and make sure you cross the creek here again and climb up a short ways on the rocks to see the right side falls. Both are beautiful and empty from 7 lakes above. This years falls were still very pretty but pale in comparison to the volume of water I encountered two years ago. This is such a raw and untouched place. If you are prepared for 13 miles and some bushwacking head on up!