A long-sought legal pathway to Mossbrae Falls, one of California's most striking waterfalls, is closer to reality following a lease agreement between Union Pacific and the city of Dunsmuir. For decades, visitors have resorted to trespassing and walking along active railroad tracks to reach the secluded natural attraction, a practice that has led to serious injuries and death.
The agreement, signed Wednesday, grants the city of Dunsmuir a 75-year lease within Union Pacific's right-of-way, paving the way for the construction of a public trail. The deal involved a one-time payment of $50,000 to the railroad company.
Local officials have characterized the lease as a significant advancement in their long-standing efforts to provide safe public access to the waterfall. Dunsmuir City Council Member Matthew Bryan stated that this represents the most crucial step ever taken towards building the trail.
Mossbrae Falls, located in a narrow canyon along the Upper Sacramento River, is renowned for its unique cascade originating from porous volcanic rock and lava tubes connected to nearby Mount Shasta. The water flows over a vibrant, moss-covered cliff face, creating a spectacular 50-foot-high and 175-foot-wide natural display.
Access has been complicated by the surrounding geography and property ownership. The Saint Germain Foundation owns land east of the falls, and city officials report that the organization has historically opposed public access through its property. Attempts to contact the foundation for comment were unsuccessful prior to publication. On the opposite side, the Union Pacific rail lines run along steep canyon walls, forcing visitors onto the tracks.
This dangerous workaround has become a common, though illegal, method for reaching the falls, with tens of thousands of visitors reportedly navigating the active tracks annually. This risky route has resulted in severe injuries, including at least two individuals being struck by trains in recent years.
The city's proposed plan aims to reroute visitors to a safe, legal access point. The new trail would begin at Hedge Creek Falls, a nearby waterfall with existing parking and trail infrastructure. From there, a series of boardwalks would be constructed adjacent to the railroad corridor, separated from train traffic by security fencing. The plan includes a new 150-foot pedestrian bridge spanning the river downstream from Mossbrae Falls, leading to a viewing platform at the base of the waterfall.
The estimated cost for the entire project is approximately $21 million, with the majority of funding expected to come from taxpayer resources. Dunsmuir officials are preparing to submit a grant application to the Federal Railroad Administration, which could potentially cover a significant portion of the project's expenses. Union Pacific has formally expressed its support for the city's grant application in a letter to the agency.