The trails are all clearly marked.
From Wintu parking area, you can go up the road north to the Wintu Loop. The connector trail will split at Mule Mountain Trail. Mule Mountain Trail will eventually connect into Whiskey Town Recreation Area for some more trails, but is predominantly loose rock uphill and approximately 7 miles long. The Escalator connects to Mule at a shaded rest area.
From Meiners parking you can link into Mule Mountain Trail, dump into Meiners Loop (which is a better ride clockwise). Meiners Loop is a combination of rolling winding meadowy signletrack and winding uphill semi rocky singletrack with semi rocky downhill. It rides fast and is a quick trail at about 2 miles. A quarter of the way into Meiners Loop going clockwise, you can enter The Escalator. The Escalator winds uphill for almost 3 miles with spectacular views and eventually teebones Mule Mountain on it's way into Whiskey Town RA.
A good loop is up The Escalator and down Mule Mountain or up and back on The Escalator. For downhill on the Escalator, be mindfull of uphill traffic and mind the sharp curves. If you slide, you will go over the side for a bit into the manzanita. But The Escalator is very fast back down.
There are interlinking trails to connect everything here. So, finish your downhill from the Escalator by dumping into the Meiners Loop, then jump on the connector to Wintu Loop.
Most of the trails are smooth with occasional roots and rocks, Mule Mountain excepted.
You can make this as epic as you want.
Take lots of water. I suggest a bottle and a camelback. Alot of the trails are shaded, but the area is notoriously hot. Watch for horses. And be aware that some idiots like to shoot in the area around the trails.
Starting in Redding: travel southwest on Placer Raod approximately 5 miles to Swassy Road <right turn> (there is a school compelx), north of Swassy Road for 1.25 miles, dirt road entry on left.<br /><br />Alternate: From Redding, head west on Hwy 299 approximately 5 miles to Swassy Road <left turn>, follow Swassy Road (winding) approximately 2.75 miles to dirt road entry on the right.<br /><br /><br /><br />Signage for the recreation area entrance is very clearly visible.<br /><br /><br /><br />There are two parking areas: The first (Wintu) near the entrance with bathrooms and information board including map. The second (Meiners) is .75 miles down the dirt road and has an information board including map, no bathroom.
http://www.singletracks.com/item.php?c=1&i=3967