The dangerous trek to Mossbrae Falls keeps drawing thrill-seekers hoping for a viral photo. Yet that journey may cost them their lives.
Nestled just outside Dunsmuir, California, the waterfall stuns with its beauty. Water pours from lava tubes and spills over mossy cliffs into the Sacramento River. Mist swirls constantly. Rainbows often appear across the scene, adding to the allure.
Social media has turned the area into a trending destination. Around 30,000 people visit each year. However, almost all of them reach the falls by walking more than a mile along active train tracks.
That illegal route has already proved deadly. Since 2012, at least two people have died after being hit by trains. Many more have narrowly escaped with terrifying close calls.
Despite warnings, Instagram shows dozens of videos and photos of people walking the tracks. These clips attract more visitors every day.
City officials now consider the matter urgent. They want to build a safe and legal route. Unfortunately, the dangerous trek to Mossbrae Falls remains the only option.
The main roadblock is private land ownership. The Saint Germain Foundation, a religious group, owns part of the land near the falls. The group believes the area is sacred and refuses to allow public access.
The foundation formed in the 1930s. Its founder claimed to receive visions from a spiritual figure on Mount Shasta. Members believe controlling access protects the site’s spiritual energy.
Meanwhile, the city has made progress with Union Pacific Railroad. Officials want to build a footbridge from an existing park. The bridge would bypass the train tracks. Union Pacific has approved the right of way, but funding remains an obstacle.
City leaders and the Mount Shasta Trail Association say safety must come first. They insist the trail isn’t just about scenic views. It’s about saving lives.
This situation echoes other tragic stories. In 2024, influencer Aanvi Kamdar died filming a reel at Kumbhe Gorge. That same year, a content creator fell to his death from a Spanish bridge. Even earlier, Miss Canada semi-finalist Tanya Pardazi died during her first solo skydive.
The dangerous trek to Mossbrae Falls highlights how far people will go for a photo. But as history shows, the cost can be fatal.
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