What makes Mossbrae Falls special
Mossbrae Falls is a waterfall flowing into the Sacramento River, in the Shasta Cascade area in Dunsmuir, California. It is a wide, moss-covered fall, and the moss is the point: the water spreads over a green wall of rock and drops into the river, a shape that looks nothing like a narrow plunge fall.
The falls are located just south of the lower portion of Shasta Springs, in the river canyon below Dunsmuir. The setting is the Sacramento River itself, which runs fast and cold through the canyon, and the fall joins it from the hillside in a broad sheet.
There is one thing every visitor needs to know before going. Access to the falls is via a mile-long illegal hiking trail on the Union Pacific Railroad right of way, and the City of Dunsmuir is seeking to finish a safe hiking trail that will include a bridge over the river. Do not walk the railroad right of way: it is illegal, and trains use the line. Wait for the safe trail, and use the coordinates on this page to find the area, not to walk the tracks.
Its neighbours are close. Faery Falls is 3.8 miles away, Root Creek Falls 5.5 miles away and Burstarse Falls 6.7 miles away, so the Dunsmuir area holds several falls within a short drive of each other.
Source: Wikipedia
Plan your visit
Getting there and parking
- GPS: 41.2419699, -122.266392 — Get directions
Navigate by coordinates rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream. Do not use the mile-long trail on the Union Pacific Railroad right of way: it is illegal, and the City of Dunsmuir is working on a safe trail with a bridge over the river. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Best time and crowds
No stream gauge is linked to Mossbrae Falls, so recent rain and snowmelt are your best guides. Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
Dunsmuir is a small town and the falls draw visitors in every season. Arrive early or late: the middle of the day is peak time.
Safety
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Never walk the railroad right of way to reach this fall: it is illegal and trains use the line. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury. Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle. The Sacramento River runs cold and fast: stay out of it.
What to bring
- Shoes with real grip
- A rain shell for the spray
- Water and a snack
- An offline map or screenshot
- A dry bag for your phone
- A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
- Do not walk the railroad tracks: check with the City of Dunsmuir on the safe trail before you go.
- Pair it with Faery Falls, 3.8 miles away.
- Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
- Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep exploring
- More waterfalls in California
- Explore California waterfalls
- Faery Falls (3.8 mi away)
- Root Creek Falls (5.5 mi away)
- Burstarse Falls (6.7 mi away)
- Explore the map
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