Swasey Recreation Area Trail Map
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- Location: South Redding
- Surface: Dirt
- Difficulty: Medium
- Rider Comments
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Swasey Recreation Area Trailheads begin on the dirt road off Swasey Drive in Redding. The Mule Mountain Pass Trail is open to foot traffic, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are many new and improved trails in the Swasey Drive Recreation Area. Most trails are rugged and unmarked, encouraging self-discovery. Bring Plenty of water and be aware of poison oak. This trail system connects to Whiskeytown NRA.
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This is a great trail. The escalator is truly a challenge. Be careful going down Mule Mountain Road, it’s very rocky.
We believe in sharing the trails with a smile. We do everything we can to prepare our horses before hitting the trail. Our horses are used to mountain bikes, however, any animal, or person, would spook or be afraid if they felt threatened. Please help to keep everyone safe by practicing trail etiquette. These rules of etiquette are national.
Equestrians always have the right of way.
Please go slow around blind corners, watch your speed and stay alert.
Do not wear ear-gear that impairs your hearing.
Look up and ahead frequently, so you know what is ahead of you.
Please also do these things to help avert an accident:
As soon as you see a horse, speak. Horses will usually settle down as soon as they know you are human.
When passing an equestrian, always stay on the downhill side of the trail. Horses will spook away from what they are afraid of. We may not be safe if you are on the uphill side of the trail.
Please alert us if there are more bike riders behind you.
Please realize that horses are a prey animal. Their instincts are to flee first, think later.
Please remember that the trails you ride on are “multiple-use” trails for all of us to enjoy.
Thank you and see ya on the trail!
Susie
Shasta Cowgirls
what up neil? cool website. had lots of fun on the Swasey trails! good all around. see you at the top!
Yeah, that was a great ride. Going to have to ride up the Escalator next time.
I wish horse riders would clean up after their animals. When my dog craps on the trail, I’m supposed to clean it up. My bike doesn’t crap all over everything. Sorry if I sound too rude, I just wanted to respond to susie’s post about trail etiquette. By the way. When trails are closed, they’re closed to horses too. We’ve all seen the damage caused by horses on wet trails.
If the equestrian crowd is so concerned with their personal safety why don’t they wear helmets? Just asking…
How come the equestrians never do trail work? I’ve attended 3 or 4 trail work days at Whiskeytown in the last couple of years and have NEVER seen an equestrian there. And we’re supposed to kneel at the side of the trail while they pass…NOT ME!
Seriously? I’m obsessed with bikes and not a big horse riding fan but think about what ur saying. We are the only species on the planet that thinks we should clean up excrement. Crap is a part of life if ur not aware enough to avoid it then u deserve to be covered in it. That horse has more right to this planet than u do if you think you’re too good to deal with crap.
Some body needs to clue me in why should a horse always have the right of way? Can’t they pull off the side of the trail also?
was a great ride. muel mountain trail was a little tough on the way up but great connection to the escalator and a sweet jam down to all the connectiong trails
Mike, sounds to me like you’re full of crap!
“Equestrians always have the right of way.”
I’ve never gotten this. If you’re operating something that is unpredictable and has the potential to harm yourself or others, then maybe you should question your mode of transportation through the forest.
Yes horses do the most damage to trails. Yes they leave behind huge piles of excrement. No I haven’t seen equestrians on trail work days.
And we’re yielding to THEM?
p.s. I haven’t even touched on the fact that equestrians cause long term damage to horses’ backs by riding them. I doubt they ever consider that fact.
I am a horseback rider and I try to share the trail with bike riders so we can all enjoy the great outdoors. If i can i will pull my horse off to the side so a bike rider can get by all i ask is for some respect to and let me know ur coming if u see me first! oh i clean trail all the time i pack clippers with me and clip any branches or limbs in the way but thats just me.
Susie COW-girl. lol lol I hope I dont meet you on the trails, my bike is trained now do the same train your horsie…….Susie… lol lol
It is not surprising that many of these responses come from a bad attitude toward the equestrians. (Many bike riders are young males who aren’t used to considering other people’s needs and/or safety)
1. The rules for trail etiquette are simply designed to make sure that serious accidents are at a minimum. Horses can be frightened and bicycles can’t.
2. The first trails in Whiskeytown were BUILT by some horsewomen and their husbands. Also, you may not see horsepeople working on “workdays” but we do work on trails that we use.
3. Horse poop disintegrates within a week, it is made up of grass and grains. Dog (and human) poop is made up of meat and other things that don’t disappear so fast.
4. If you are going out into a multi-use or public trail system, get a good attitude about SHARING. Remember, horses were around a long time before bicycles were invented, and they have a right to go on these trails too.
I am a horseback rider. I also own a dirt bike. A lot of the trails in Shasta County were made by the dirt bike riders. Many of the dirt bike trails have been banned to motorized vehicles and dirt bikes. I learned my trail etiquette on my dirt bike.
While on the trail and passing others we would hold up our fingers to show how many in our group. The next rider would do the same with one less finger up.
While horseback riding I never see mountain bikers do this or even offer to inform us the number of bikers to watch out for.
All I ask is that you make a noise or talk to us when you know you are approaching and let us know how many behind you so that we can be more considerate of you.
I know that there are horse people that are rude. I also know that bike riders can be rude too.
We are sharing the trails, so I will do my part to keep my horse in check.
I would be happy to help out on the trail work. I have been wondering how to get informed of this. Where can I get informed?
I thank you guys for the awesome trails that you did help to create.
I think casting generalizations serves poorly for all involved.
To say that all horse riders don’t participate in trail work days only holds if you have indeed been to EVERY trail work day yourself.
To state that young male biker riders don’t consider other people’s needs or safety can be way off base unless you know EVERY young male bike rider (or “many” for that matter)
Let’s keep an open dialogue between trail users that is continues to discuss our differences but is respectful and without broad sweeping generalizations.
This hasn’t gotten near as ugly as I have seen first hand in the Oroville area between trail users and hope that it never does.
Great site and good comments – looking forward to seeing it grow and educate.
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