Mossbrae Falls

Mossbrae Falls in Dunsmuir, CA along the Sacramento River. Also known as the forbidden falls, for the only way to get here is on active railroad tracks, which makes the trek a little nerve racking. I came here once before hoping to capture fall color, but I was too late. So I had to wait a year before I could come back and try again. 

The plan was to get here early in the morning, hoping for some early morning mist over the river. I left my In-Law’s house around 5am, and arrived at the “trail head” just as the sun was starting to give off some light. I made the forbidden trek over the tracks in the dim light, constantly listening and looking over my shoulder for any sign of a train coming. Every time I came to a narrow section where I probably wouldn’t be able to get out of the way of a train, I tried to move quickly. All I could hear was the rushing water of the Sacramento River, and with the golden colors of fall all around, I couldn’t help but pause and admire all the beauty from time to time. 

With a sigh of relief as I walked away from the railroad tracks and down to the river. I came to the falls, which are always just mesmerizing, no matter how many times I come here. I have never seen so much gold all around this mossy, wonderful place. My original idea was to shoot it from the other direction, but the main tree in the foreground that I was hoping to get in peak color was strangely, already bald. So as I walked around for new ideas, I came across this one. It was a little different than how I am used to seeing these falls photographed, so I thought it could be fun. Being able to see down river, and the sky, seemed like a nice touch. I sat here for a while, taking different kinds of slight angles with the soft morning light. Once the fun was over it was time to make the dreadful hike back along the railroad tracks. 

The moss, the golden leaves, the river peacfully flowing, and of course the waterfall dripping down the river bank, the beauty of Mossbrae is unlike any other waterfall in California. Not my original idea, but sometimes improvising gives you something even better.