Start at the American River Canyon Overlook Park where there's plenty of parking. Pick up the Western States Trail (from the carpark, find it past the toilet block on the north side) and follow it as it curves around and down. At about 1km Gold Street Trail branches off to your left - take this, heading uphill through a green gully. This takes you to Gold Street, where you take the immediate first right onto Virginia Street, then another immediate right heading down the streets until the end of Rio Camino Street, where you pick up Rio Camino Spur Trail.
Follow this downhill as it traverses around and meets the Robie Point Break. Head downhill on the break for roughly 300m, and then pick up Contour Trail on your right - the angle puts this almost behind you as it leaves the break, so keep your eyes out for it (and make sure you don't head back up Western States Trail which turns off slightly earlier).
Contour Trail is well named as it takes you on a meander along the 300m contour until meeting the Robie Point Break again. Go downhill on this and continue traversing until just before 7km into the run, where you take a sharp uphill turn, and get onto Cardiac Bypass Trail which leaves the road on the left. Follow this uphill for a steep but short section until you meet the Shirland Canal Trail. This lovely trail follows the small but swiftly flowing canal and is refreshing to run beside on a hot day.
Turn right onto Shirland Canal Trail and follow it all the way until it meets Dale Drive at about 9.6km into the run. Here, go right and downhill for a very short way to the intersection. Cross the intersection and pick up the small trail that takes you through to Gum Lane, then hang an immediate right and go up the hill. At the top of the hill you'll find yourself back at Overlook Park where you started.
