Why Mossbrae Falls Is Still Closed to the Public—and What’s Being Done About It

Mossbrae Falls, just outside Dunsmuir in Northern California, is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the region—but despite its popularity on social media, it remains officially closed to the public. And the reason is more complex than you might expect.

The stunning waterfall, fed by Mount Shasta’s glacial runoff, attracts around 30,000 hikers each year. But getting there currently means illegally walking along active train tracks, a dangerous route that has resulted in at least two people being struck by trains and several near-misses.

City officials and the Mount Shasta Trail Association have long pushed for a legal, safe trail to the falls. But their efforts have stalled due to private land ownership, particularly from the Saint Germain Foundation—a religious organization that owns the land where the waterfall flows. The foundation, tied to the 1930s “I AM” movement, considers the land sacred and has refused to sell or grant access.

“The Foundation believes it can best protect this site by limiting access,” a representative told SF Gate in 2022.

On the opposite side of the river, Union Pacific Railroad owns the land and has agreed to grant right-of-way for a proposed pedestrian bridge and trail. The city now faces the challenge of securing the funding—millions of dollars—needed to make the route a reality.

“It’s not just about building a trail to a pretty place,” said John Harch of the Trail Association. “It’s a safety issue.”

Until then, Mossbrae Falls remains an iconic—but off-limits—NorCal treasure.