mossbrae falls

This is a beautiful place, and even though you're technically not allowed to get here (along Union Pacific tracks), no one will bother you. You just have to make sure to park far enough away to not get a parking ticket. Finding good directions to get here is tough. Head north on Dunsmuir Avenue from town, and then a little bit north of the Botanical Gardens, there will be a road on the west/left (on GPS it's Scarlet Way, in real life there's a sign for "Shasta Retreat"). You want to drive past and park north of here on the street. There's a trail on the east/right side of Dunsmuir Ave that you can walk safely on until you have to cross. Walk down Scarlet Way, and you'll be in a private community (this is why you can't park closer). You'll walk down a bit of an incline and make sure to bear right and avoid Cave Ave. Keep walking until a bridge and then right after the bridge are the tracks. Turn right onto the tracks and walk for a bit longer than a mile. Then there will be another bridge. Right before this bridge there is a hidden trail that will lead down to the falls.

Be careful walking along side the tracks. Not difficult but you need to pay attention. The waterfall is really pretty and the greenery surrounding it makes for great photos. Burney Falls is close, it is easier to get to, taller and safer. Both are worth your time to visit.

Difficult access ...but can be walked from Shata Reatreat which is about three miles by the railroad tracks. A nice quiet place to think about the past.

My friend who is also a novice photographer took me here over July fourth weekend. It was so gorgeous here we spent two hours relaxing along the river and got some great shots. Please allow an hour in and an hour back to and from. You will be walking down or along the rail road tracks. We didn't experience any trains comming or going but be careful and aware of your surroundings.. Pack snacks and be there early. There are no public restrooms. We got there at eight am. I LOVED it here! Amazing place!

The walk in is almost exactly one mile. It is on a railroad bed, not easy for older people and there are some areas where if you don't hear a train coming you could get caught in a dangerous situation. I work on the railroad and have been in the area for 17 years. If you are smart and cautious, no problem. We have on occasion hit people with the train-the stupid ones but the speed is 20 MPH so getting out of the way should be easy. The walk is beautiful and the falls and steel bridge across the river are outstanding! Just be careful. Great photo ops, cold, clean mountain water and the fishing is the best in the north state. Don't let the trains scare you, just be smart and don't walk on the tracks!

The place is about 3 miles walk in railway tracks. We saw just one train in our entire walk. Also, the train comes very slow and not unnoticeable except if you walk with noice cancellation headphone ;) But, the view is worth for long walk. Since, you wont get any foodthere, better pack some snacks and energy drink to use on your way.

When I was 12 in 1958 my parents and I spent the day and night in Dunsmuir. We walked down the railroad track until we came to the most spectacular sight, Mossbrae Falls. I again saw them from a train in 1982 and was thrilled to have the experience again. I understand that you can no longer walk on the tracks( it never was safe) but I will never forget the simple elegance of the wall of water cascading down the rock wall. A memory to last a lifetime.

We went to see the falls when you could still walk along the railroad tracks to get to them. It is very unfortunate that you cannot do that now without the fear of getting a trespassing ticket. They need to make a safe trail to be able to hike to these falls.

This waterfall is very unusual it seems to be mostly a spring seeping out of a cliff wall just above a clear river. Very wide but not that high, the waterflow is modest but invariant across the year. There are lots of green plants along the cliff wall being constantly watered by the falls. Photos seem not to do it justice. The water is probably too cold for swimming but it is so clean and clear. Would be a great spot for a picnic.To get there:Exit I-5 at Dunsmuir Avenue (the most northern of the Dunsmuir exits. Proceed to Dunsmuir Ave and turn left (south). Proceed to Scarlett Ave and turn right (almost a u-turn) and drive under the Shasta Retreat Arch. Proceed until you pass the river on a small one lane bridge. The RR tracks are here. Go back to Dunsmuir Ave and park somewhere. Walk back to the RR tracks and follow the tracks right (upstream, North). Walk along the tracks (maybe 1.5 miles) until you reach a RR bridge, there are several paths leading down to the river just before the bridge. Follow one and you will arrive at the falls. Watch out for trains coming from both directions. Don't park by the tracks or anywhere in Shasta Retreat, there is a high probability of a ticket. Message me if you want the GPS coordinates.

Mossbrae Falls is a spectacular spot to cool off on a hot summer day. The pure water from lava tubes coming out from under Mount Shasta pours out of a moss covered Basalt cliff into the pristine waters of the upper Sacramento River creating a beautiful sight. Unfortunately the Union Pacific railroad is not a very good neighbor and from time to time posts the area as off limits. You would think that after killing every living thing in the river by dumping a train car full of toxic material in the river the railroad would not find it in their interest to try and irritate the locals, but they just don't care. So walk around their signs and enjoy the beauty. You have to walk along the tracks to get there and there are no facilities of any kind. Take water and be prepared to walk on the large gravel ballast along the tracks.

Mosspray Falls is one of God's finest creations. Not a bad walk along the tracks but watch out for the trains. The walk is in natures finest settings. This is NOT a theme park setting. Walking along the tracks you need to take your time and enjoy the river watching the trout swim around. Common Sense is all you need to walk the two miles or whatever it is. Well worth the time. Once you reach the falls well just enjoy God's splendor.

There is no parking in the Shasta Retreat area and there are no trespassing signs everywhere on the tracks. The railroad along with the sheriff's department will ticket you. It is beautiful but until the city of Dunsmuir puts a trail through (which they are working on) then there is no way to get there. If you would like to make a donation to the city of Dunsmuir to help out with the cost of a trail to Mossbrae Falls then please do so. Until then you will have to wait.

This is my all-time favorite waterfall. It is more like a wall of gushing green ledges into a pristine river. Large flat rocks abound which are perfect for the awe-inspiring view. A place you want to meditate in. You park at the trail head and walk along the railroad track for about one mile (hopefully they still allow you to do this, I know of no other way to get there!). You can not believe what you see when you walk off the gravel and down to the river......totally unexpected, and magical. My favorite.

This is not an easy walk along the railroad tracks unless you are a skilled hiker. Don't take children and beware of the trains. There is NO parking in the Shasta Retreat. You will be ticketed and even (possibly) towed for illegal parking and Union Pacific is patrolling and issuing tickets for being on the tracks.

You will wonder what I must have been smoking while walking down the side of the train tracks to get here. But once you reach the train trestle and take the path off to the right down to the river....It really is a magical place. Check it out!!!