How can we get a trail built to one of Northern California's greatest wonders?
Less than half a mile from the city limits of Dunsmuir lies Mossbrae Falls—a 50-foot curtain of spring water cascading over moss-covered cliffs into the Sacramento River.
But there is no legal way for the public to reach it. The primary route people take right now involves walking along active railroad tracks on a narrow ledge next to the river. Other routes require fording the river. Both routes have resulted in inujuries and death.
For over a century, Mossbrae Falls has been intertwined with the railroad. What began as a tourist attraction became an access problem when the tracks became the only way to reach the falls.
The Southern Pacific Railroad completes its line through the Upper Sacramento River Canyon, running tracks directly adjacent to Mossbrae Falls. The railroad promotes the falls as a scenic attraction, with tourists disembarking to view the cascade and sample the natural spring water.
The Saint Germain Foundation, a small religious group, purchases the 230-acre Shasta Springs Resort from Southern Pacific Railroad. The property sits between the falls and any potential trail route from town.
Following a devastating railroad chemical spill that killed all aquatic life in the Upper Sacramento River, Southern Pacific Railroad partners with California Trout and commits $1 million to build a 6-mile trail between Dunsmuir and Lake Siskiyou. The project falls apart when the Saint Germain Foundation refuses to sell the 5 acres needed for the trail crossing.
via SFGateA new generation of trail advocates emerges, but their efforts to negotiate with the private landowner blocking trail access are met with refusal—even as hikers continue to be injured on the tracks.
John Harch, a retired surgeon, joins the board of the Mount Shasta Trail Association and takes up the cause. He organizes volunteers to maintain trails and pursue negotiations for public access to the falls.
via SFGateIn November, a woman hiking to the falls with her husband and two children is struck by a Union Pacific freight train. She survives with serious head injuries. Union Pacific begins issuing trespassing tickets and the city closes the illegal parking area in the Shasta Retreat neighborhood.
via Jefferson Public RadioShe felt that she would be safe if she scrunched down and became very small, and she was hit by the step of the train. And she had a serious head injury, actually an orbital injury, of the brain.
— Brenda Bains, City Manager, describing the 2011 train incident
Jefferson Public Radio, September 2014
The city pays for an appraisal and offers market value for the land needed for the trail, but the Saint Germain Foundation declines—even after outside organizations partner to increase the offer to three times the appraised value.
via Jefferson Public RadioThe Foundation believes it can best protect this site by limiting access, rather than allowing trailblazers to desecrate its natural beauty.
— Sidney Lanier, CFO, Saint Germain Foundation
SFGate, September 2022
With the Foundation route blocked, advocates pivot to a new plan: a trail and bridge that bypasses their land entirely. But the new route requires Union Pacific's cooperation—and the cost has grown to $3 million.
The Mount Shasta Trail Association announces significant progress on a new plan: a trail starting at Hedge Creek Falls with a pedestrian suspension bridge across the Sacramento River, bypassing the Saint Germain Foundation's land entirely.
via Mount Shasta Trail AssociationIn February, a 33-year-old man is struck by a train on the tracks near the falls. He survives. Union Pacific director Francisco Castillo writes a letter acknowledging that trespassing has "increased dramatically resulting in safety concerns."
via San Francisco ChronicleFollowing San Francisco Chronicle coverage exposing years of stalled negotiations, Union Pacific issues a formal letter of support. Tim McMahan, head of corporate relations, states the trail plan is "nearing final stages of review" and pledges to coordinate with stakeholders.
via San Francisco ChronicleUnion Pacific accepts engineering plans for the trail. Mayor Matthew Bryan announces the milestone. With a $10,000 grant from Union Pacific and private donations, the Mount Shasta Trail Association begins working with the city to have the route flagged and surveyed.
via Mount Shasta NewsSFGate publishes an extensive investigation into the Saint Germain Foundation's role in blocking trail access. Documents reveal the Foundation's CFO had written to Indigenous groups urging them to oppose the trail project.
via SFGateThe trail project is now estimated at $3 million for a 0.6-mile extension including the pedestrian bridge. Engineering costs alone could reach $2 million.
via Jefferson Public RadioEvery single time, it's a near miss... My nightmare is that a family that isn't paying attention gets hit.
— Ryan Snow, California State Chairman, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
Los Angeles Times, August 2025
66-year-old Jin Yen Lee of Irvine, California drowns while attempting to wade across the Sacramento River near Hedge Creek Falls to reach Mossbrae Falls. Her son witnesses her being carried away by the current. Her body is recovered about 1.5 miles downstream.
via KDRV NewsWatch 12Dunsmuir hosts a landmark summit with Union Pacific officials from as far away as Omaha and Denver. Key railroad officials see the falls for the first time. Representatives from Senator Megan Dahle's office and Siskiyou County attend.
via City of DunsmuirThe Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen publicly urges Union Pacific to accelerate the trail project. Engineers report near misses with hikers on almost every run. Union Pacific reiterates that it approved the trail concept "years ago" and continues working with stakeholders.
via Los Angeles TimesAfter more than a decade of planning, negotiations, and tragedy, the path forward remains unclear. The City of Dunsmuir continues to negotiate with Union Pacific, but no formal agreement has been made. Union Pacific is concerned about potential liability and future obligations to other trails along their property. Yet they want to get people off the tracks. MSTA continues to advocate for the trail, but doesn't want to do any formal fundraising until they can see a clear path forward.
Trail architect Tom Hesseldenz has done a tremendous amount of work and created a proposal that represents the best path forward we have right now. The plan includes a pedestrian bridge, 1,900 feet of riverside trail, and a solution that would keep hikers off the railroad tracks.
Download the Full Proposal (PDF, 4.7MB)I created this page to help describe the history of building this trail and to put the current challenges in context. I want to see this trail built and help in any way I can. How can we best convince Union Pacific to finally commit to an agreement so we can start fundraising for the trail?
Kyle Aster
kyle@thoseasters.com