Tin Cup Joe Falls

Follow this challenging route up to a hidden and impressive set of waterfalls.
Total Distance: 4.2 miles
Total Ascent: 700ft (600ft in; 100ft out)
Highest Point: 2100ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Our Hiking Time: 3h 30m
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
To get there, take Exit 34 off I-90 and take a left on 468th Ave. Follow the road past the truck stop for about a half-mile until you reach SE Middle Fork Road, also known as Forest Road 56. Turn right and follow the road for a few twists and turns, keeping left when the road splits. After 2.2 miles reach SE Dorothy Lake Road. Take a left, passing the Mailbox Peak Trailhead as you continue 9.9 miles past the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trailhead and across the Taylor River to the junction with FR 5620 (unsigned). Take a sharp right and follow the pothole ridden gravel road 5.4 miles to the Dingford Creek Trailhead. View Google Directions >>
From the Dingford Creek Trailhead, drop down to the bridge and connect to Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail #1003. Veer right and follow the trail through the mossy forest for 1.3 miles to Cripple Creek. Here, on the west side of the bridge you should be able to make out the faint indications of a bootpath leading steeply up the hill, paralleling the creek.

Head up and when in doubt, follow the creek and the path of least resistance and you’ll find that the path generally reappears. Eventually reach a waterfall rushing over a rocky bluff, but the big waterfalls lurk in the trees above - circle wide and scramble up the rocks above short falls to a large rocky plateau and huge cascades.

There's a lot more to Tin Cup Joe Falls, and you can learn all about it in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!