I was at the top of the state of California, about 10 miles southwest of Mount Shasta. The day was hot and sweltering. I was hiking along rocks next to dusty train tracks, the summer sun beating down on me from above. However, my hike was rewarded as I clambered down the hillside to the creek and beheld the green, glistening beauty of Mossbrae Falls. I quickly stripped down to my trunks and waded in to the icy cold pool at the foot of the falls, washing myself clean of the dust and sweat of my journey.