Dunsmuir council approves lease with Union Pacific to pursue Mossbrae Falls trail
June 21, 2026 | Yreka City, Siskiyou County, California
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The Dunsmuir City Council voted unanimously to accept the terms of a lease with Union Pacific that would allow the city to build a trail on UP right-of-way to Mossbrae Falls and authorized the mayor or city manager to sign the lease and amend the general fund to provide up to $50,000 for the agreement.
Councilmember Bryan presented the draft lease and described the planned route: a trail starting at the existing Hedge Creek trailhead, a pedestrian bridge over the river to land on UP right-of-way, and approximately 0.4 miles of trail up to Mossbrae Falls. Councilmember Bryan said the lease includes conditions for design, engineering and fencing to mitigate trespass on the active freight line.
The staff report described the lease as a 75-year agreement with a one-time payment of $50,000; council discussion noted the timeline to build could span years and that the lease is intended to enable grant applications and funding. Peggy, a Union Pacific representative participating online, said UP had delivered a real estate agreement and issued a letter of support for the city's grant application. "We're tickled that we actually have got a real estate agreement delivered to the city," Peggy said.
Councilmember Bryan moved that the city accept the lease terms, authorize the mayor or city manager to sign, and amend the general fund expenditure up to $50,000. The motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call vote.
Councilmembers and staff emphasized the need for further design, engineering, and funding work and thanked Union Pacific and local advocates for long-running efforts to resolve trespass and safety concerns on the route to Mossbrae Falls. The council recorded the motion and approved the expenditure authorization to proceed with next steps in planning and grant pursuit.
Next steps: staff will coordinate design, engineering, partnership details with Union Pacific, and pursue grant funding; construction timing is dependent on design approvals and available funding.
Councilmember Bryan presented the draft lease and described the planned route: a trail starting at the existing Hedge Creek trailhead, a pedestrian bridge over the river to land on UP right-of-way, and approximately 0.4 miles of trail up to Mossbrae Falls. Councilmember Bryan said the lease includes conditions for design, engineering and fencing to mitigate trespass on the active freight line.
The staff report described the lease as a 75-year agreement with a one-time payment of $50,000; council discussion noted the timeline to build could span years and that the lease is intended to enable grant applications and funding. Peggy, a Union Pacific representative participating online, said UP had delivered a real estate agreement and issued a letter of support for the city's grant application. "We're tickled that we actually have got a real estate agreement delivered to the city," Peggy said.
Councilmember Bryan moved that the city accept the lease terms, authorize the mayor or city manager to sign, and amend the general fund expenditure up to $50,000. The motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call vote.
Councilmembers and staff emphasized the need for further design, engineering, and funding work and thanked Union Pacific and local advocates for long-running efforts to resolve trespass and safety concerns on the route to Mossbrae Falls. The council recorded the motion and approved the expenditure authorization to proceed with next steps in planning and grant pursuit.
Next steps: staff will coordinate design, engineering, partnership details with Union Pacific, and pursue grant funding; construction timing is dependent on design approvals and available funding.
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