My son and I did this hike a few years ago and decided to return. It's a perfect time for this trail. The brush is not leafed out, there's no snow, and the undergrowth is still smashed down from the winter snow.
The many blowdowns were slimy and a bit hard to navigate but we just kept generally heading upstream and found the faint path again every time.
Don't be fooled by the first falls. It's nice but you need to keep going up; climbing straight up the rocky gully on the right side of the creek. There are helpful cairns to keep encouraging you up. Eventually there's a log that you can use to cut back to the left and get closer to the main double falls, where my picture was taken. It's really spectacular and if it was easier to get to lots of people would go.
We saw one boot and dog print in a small snow patch but that's it. No other people.
Comments
Dave Schuba on Tin Cup Joe Falls
So, you didn't have to cross Cripple Creek to get those views? If so, that's great.
My map (GAIA) shows the primitive/unmaintained trail forking at the first falls with the right fork not going far and the left fork crossing the creek and heading to Derrick Lake. I found myself at the fork yesterday and I turned around since I didn't expect to make it that far (and the creek crossing looked difficult). I'll need to try again and go further (but starting from the Dingford TH next time).
Posted by:
Dave Schuba on Apr 03, 2024 08:22 AM
Greg Nieminen on Tin Cup Joe Falls
Yea, I saw the trail fork on Gaia as well but we didn't see any sign of it on the other side of the creek. And we also didn't see a reasonable place to cross!
To get the higher view, we didn't have to cross the creek. But we did have to climb a rocky gully on the right side of the creek that was pretty steep and a bit loose here and there. There were a couple of cairns to keep us motivated to keep going up until we found the overlook spot where I took the photo. Some kind person had cut some of the brush at some point. I should have brought my shears but just snapped a few things here and there by hand.
Posted by:
Greg Nieminen on Apr 03, 2024 08:46 AM
Dave Schuba on Tin Cup Joe Falls
Thanks!
I agree that this is the time of year to do this one before things leaf out. Of my 3 attempts, yesterday was the easiest to follow the "path"; consequently, I made it further but not far enough :)
I also limbed up some branches with my clippers and took out one small blowdown with my saw. This trail is a challenge but fun for getting dirty crawling under blowdowns, not for making good (fast) time. It truly is a special place.
Posted by:
Dave Schuba on Apr 03, 2024 09:41 AM