9.5   Mossbrae Falls

Mossbrae Falls from railroad bridge

Location: Dunsmuir, Siskiyou County Height: ~50 ft. Access:            Distance: 2.4 miles (RT) Elevation: 2400 ft. (+100 ft.) Season: Mar-Aug Difficulty: Lat/Long:41.24203, -122.26611 Directions:Take Hwy #5 to Dunsmuir, 52 miles north of Redding. Take Dunsmuir/Siskiyou exit. Drive south on Dunsmuir Ave. for 0.7 miles. Take a sharp right on Scarlett Way (Shasta Retreat). Cross the bridge and railroad tracks, and park. The trail heads upstream along the tracks.

Mossbrae Falls is a very unique waterfall. Only about 50 ft. high, but about 150 ft. wide. The water cascades from springs down the moss-covered canyon wall, and down into the Sacramento River, creating the effect of many waterfall streams falling into the river. It is actually quite a bit taller than 50 ft., but you cannot see the upper cascades through the brush and trees. The bottom 50 ft. is pretty much a straight plunge into the river.

The trail to the falls is also very interesting. It follows right beside the railroad tracks. In some places it is quite narrow, and you wonder what you'd do if a train happened by. The biggest problem though, would be the loud noise of a train right beside you, more than any real danger. Look for the waterfall on the right, just before you get to a railroad bridge.

Mossbrae Falls is definitely one of the most scenic waterfalls in all of California. It is like a little paradise, or Garden of Eden. One could easily spend hours here, mesmerized by the incredible beauty of the falls.

Continuing past the falls, you can cross the railroad bridge and hike another quarter mile to Shasta Springs. There is a great view of Mossbrae Falls from the bridge.

Zoom out on map to see all nearby waterfalls:

Other waterfalls nearby:

Hedge Creek Falls	0.32 miles
Shasta Springs	0.34 miles
Faery Falls	3.88 miles
Root Creek Falls	5.53 miles
Sweetbriar Falls	8.29 miles
Squaw Valley Creek Falls	9.74 miles
Wagon Creek Falls	10.02 miles
Mud Creek Canyon Falls	11.01 miles
Lower McCloud Falls	12.82 miles
Upper McCloud Falls	13.65 miles
Middle McCloud Falls	13.66 miles
East Boulder Lake Falls	27.54 miles
Little Roaring Creek Falls	29.01 miles
Roaring Creek Falls	29.85 miles

Shasta Cascade

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