The Story Behind Save Burney Falls Rails to Trails Project
Save Burney Falls (SBF)
SBF is a California non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation organized in January 1997 to promote long-range community planning and environmentally sustainable growth in the Burney Falls area.
SBF supports balanced development while preserving the natural state of the environment for conservation and recreation.
SBF current project is the development of the Great Shasta Rail Trail(GSRT), which is a shared vision for a public recreation trail between the towns of Burney and McCloud in
northern California.
The GSRT follows the alignment of the McCloud Railway Company (originally known as McCloud River Railroad Company) corridor through the expansive forestlands of northern California. It links innumerable recreation opportunities, including the world-famous McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, the Lassen National Forest, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and the Pacific Crest Trail.
The original McCloud River Railroad was constructed between 1903 and 1955 to haul timber and lumber through the productive forests of Shasta and Siskiyou Counties. The railroad played an important role in the development of the region, and is particularly prominent in the histories of the towns of McCloud and Burney.
(Charles Givens photo to the right).
The corridor also crosses picturesque waterways including Burney Creek, Lake Britton, Cayton Creek, the McCloud River, Bear Creek, and Moosehead Creek.
Converting the rail corridor to a public recreation trail will provide numerous benefits to the communities of Burney and McCloud, including stimulating tourism and recreation-related commerce, increasing neighboring property values, and attracting new businesses.
The GSRT winds through the expansive forests of far northern California, and features impressive views of the region's stunning natural beauty. With majestic Mount Shasta at the northwest end and Burney Mountain at the southeast end, this public trail will have great views heading both directions.
The GSRT will complement the diverse recreational
opportunities in northern California, protect an important historic resource,
provide
wildlife habitat and an additional fuel break, and draw visitors to the
region to experience its natural beauty.
The rail bed's gentle
grades will be inviting to diverse users, providing year-round opportunities for
outdoor recreation.
Our work has been supported by donations from
numerous individuals and businesses, and grant funds received from
Shasta County Public Health Department, and
Shasta Regional Community Foundation
(McConnell Fund) and Burney Chamber of Commerce Donor Fund).
Technical assistance has been received from
Shasta College (GIS
Department, through a National Science Foundation grant), the
Rails to Trails Conservancy, and Rivers, Trails, and Community
Assistance, a program of National Parks Service .