A Journey to Mossbrae Falls, Walking the Railroad Tracks from "Stand by Me" [Who Would Die Without Walking? A Journey to the American National Parks (30) The Jewel of Mt. Shasta]
Written by Sayaka Kato
In this American Natural Parks series brought to you by a tour guide based in California, we return to the sacred mountain of Mount Shasta for the first time in a while, and for a while we will be introducing some of Shasta's most beautiful "jewel" spots
This time we'll be introducing Mossbrae Falls
A mist shower flows from the forest like a thread. This is a place where your mind will naturally calm down in front of the quiet and fantastical waterfall
Water drips like a curtain of water from the green cliffs covered with ferns and moss. As the name "Water City Shasta" suggests, this is a place where you can feel the abundance of water and the blessings of nature
It's a breathtaking place, and it's no wonder it's said to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in California
It is located in an area called Dunsmuir, about a 10-minute drive from the center of town. You can park your car along Dunsmuir Ave and then walk along the tracks for about 30 minutes
The route reminds me of the movie Stand by Me, and although my feet hurt from walking on the rugged rocks, it's a very atmospheric experience. The Shasta area is also famous as a filming location for the movie Stand by Me
In fact, freight trains pass on the Dunsmuir tracks here, so be careful. If you're lucky, a freight train will pass right next to you, which is a treat for train lovers, but be sure to pay attention to safety. (This is private property, so proceed at your own risk.)
The Sacramento River, fed by meltwater from Mt. Shasta, flows alongside the walking route, and in the summer people can be seen resting and swimming along the river
And as you walk further, you will see a railway bridge
When you see this railway bridge, you'll be right there at Mossbrae Falls
This is the end of our walk along the tracks. Turn right just before the railroad bridge and you'll see..
A shower mist oasis
The appearance and atmosphere changes depending on the weather, time of day, and season, but no matter when you visit, it's a very fantastical place that makes you feel as if fairies are actually there
When it happens to be empty and we are alone, it is a very quiet and mystical time. It is an easy place to get to, but it is a place you would not expect to find anywhere else
This is a gem of a spot in Shasta that you should visit and feel the energy and atmosphere with your whole body
Precautions regarding the spread of COVID-19
As of May 2022, various situations may be in place in various countries, including entry restrictions due to strengthened quarantine measures, restrictions on entry to national parks, and restrictions on domestic travel. These conditions may change without notice, so when traveling, be sure to obtain local information from each country's embassy or consulate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Overseas Safety Website (Infectious Disease Risk Information), national park websites, and other sources, and check information on transit points, countries you plan to travel to, and the areas around the places you plan to visit before making reasonable plans and taking action
Sayaka Kato
Leave your California hiking and travel plans to us. Influenced by my father, I've always loved outdoor activities, and while living in Japan, I started hiking and touring national parks, which fascinated me with the natural beauty of America and Canada, ultimately leading me to my dream of visiting the United States. I currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours created together with customers, such as completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. I'll introduce you to special options that I know only because I live in the area. If you're interested, please visit the website below
Related reading
Hedge Creek Falls: A Sacred Waterfall Hidden at the Foot of Mt. Shasta, the City of Water [Would You Die Without Walking? A Journey to America's National Parks (33) The Jewels of Mt. Shasta]
Burney Falls, known as the "most beautiful waterfall in California" [Who can die without walking? A Journey to the American National Parks (34) The Jewel of Mt. Shasta]
Recommended spots around Mount Shasta [Would you rather die without walking? A trip to America's National Parks (36) The Jewels of Mt. Shasta (Bonus Edition)]
Why Mt. Shasta Water is Special ~Medicine Lake~ [Would you rather die without walking? A Journey to America's National Parks (32) The Jewels of Mt. Shasta]