The trail ride to Faery Falls is in a historic area near Mt. Shasta called Ney Springs. Ney Springs was discovered by John Ney in 1887. It became a destination health resort based on the mineral waters there. When the railroad first became operational, Ney Springs was one of several summer resorts that were popular with wealthy Bay Area residents who were drawn to healing spring waters. To get to Ney Springs, visitors would take the train to Cantara, near Dunsmuir, then follow a trail (with carriage access) along the west side of the river. The Ney Springs resort consisted of a hotel for 50 guests, a bath house, barn, carriage house and boardwalks that meandered through the wooded forest. All that can be found now is some masonry foundations and a small trickling stream under the tall pines. It’s a wonderful stretch of one’s imagination to envision a lively resort at this now tranquil location.
The trail ride follows part of this route along the west side of the river. A short distance upstream from the resort ruins leads to nearby Faery Falls, where Ney Springs Creek crashes nearly 60 feet down a granite cliff face, forming a clear pool at the bottom. It may be the tallest waterfall in Siskiyou County.
To get there take WA Barr Road going to Lake Siskiyou; after crossing the dam take the first left going to Castle Lake; from this road take the first left onto Ney Springs Road (dirt). This is a sharp left on a somewhat blind corner so turning must be done with caution. About 2.5 tenths of a mile there is a small parking area in the trees on the left. Across the road is a gate and the trail starts on the other side of the gate. The trail is easy to follow although when you come into the area that has some log slash and it appears there was a deck that was burned, veer slightly left to stay on the trail. When you come to an intersection, go right uphill. You will pass the short trail down to the falls before finding trees to tie to. Do NOT attempt to take horses down the path to the falls as it is not a horse trail. Total length is 1.45 miles and is shaded the entire way through a primarily tall oak forest with gentle terrain the majority of the ride. If you take a left turn downhill at the intersection, it will take you past the old resort and through a dispersed camping area near the water.
The trail ride follows part of this route along the west side of the river. A short distance upstream from the resort ruins leads to nearby Faery Falls, where Ney Springs Creek crashes nearly 60 feet down a granite cliff face, forming a clear pool at the bottom. It may be the tallest waterfall in Siskiyou County.
To get there take WA Barr Road going to Lake Siskiyou; after crossing the dam take the first left going to Castle Lake; from this road take the first left onto Ney Springs Road (dirt). This is a sharp left on a somewhat blind corner so turning must be done with caution. About 2.5 tenths of a mile there is a small parking area in the trees on the left. Across the road is a gate and the trail starts on the other side of the gate. The trail is easy to follow although when you come into the area that has some log slash and it appears there was a deck that was burned, veer slightly left to stay on the trail. When you come to an intersection, go right uphill. You will pass the short trail down to the falls before finding trees to tie to. Do NOT attempt to take horses down the path to the falls as it is not a horse trail. Total length is 1.45 miles and is shaded the entire way through a primarily tall oak forest with gentle terrain the majority of the ride. If you take a left turn downhill at the intersection, it will take you past the old resort and through a dispersed camping area near the water.
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