Tin Cup Joe Falls — Monday, Jun. 27, 2016

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

Tin Cup is becoming a yearly thing for me. I love that it is remote and when I take someone for the first time it is something they are amazed by because so little information is out there about these magnificent falls. The five miles in from the Middle Fork Trail is generally in good shape with only a few blowdowns that are easy to go under or over. Once you get to the Cripple Creek Bridge turn around and head back about 50 feet. Your trail will take off on your left up the hill. The trial is obvious for only a short time and then you will quickly lose it. There are some orange trail markers here and there but these are not very accurate to the true trail. There are many obstacles and a lot of opportunity to get hurt here with the rough terrain and lack of a true trail. I would advise only doing this if you are comfortable with route finding and have someone with you. Twist an ankle or worse by yourself here and it could be very bad. Nobody will be up this trail anytime soon. It literally could be weeks before you saw anyone. You will climb and drop several times before you finally come to the creek where you can see the lowest tier of the falls. At this point if the creek is not flowing too swiftly you can cross and go straight up the hill across from the creek. There is more orange tape here to show you the way. You will have to climb up roots and be careful of slick rock that may not hold your weight. From the top of this hill you will head to your right and bushwack through fields of devils club. You will see the trail here and there. Be very careful of rocks and trees under the foliage as it can be a rough step if you don't see what is underneath. Take your time here. Climb up and soon you will come to an area where you can descent safely to the area where the two falls combine into one at Cripple Creek. To see them fully get in the creek. The view up is amazing. If you can cross the creek fully you can see the right side falls which are equally impressive. Take your time and listen to the thunder of the water before navigating the war zone of trees again. When all is said and done you will have traveled about 13-14 miles depending on your side trips and how far off the trail you get at times.