This is a great hike for hot days. Not matter how blazing hot and sunny it is in the rest of the park, this trail is always comfortable and shady, and the water is very cool (low 60's today) -- so it's a perfect summer hike.

The park rents special water hiking shoes at the visitor center (Adidas, Hydro Lace), which were very comfortable and had great soles for gripping the wet smooth rocks. Moving upstream through the flowing river is surprisingly strenuous (like walking through molasses). In places where the water gets waist-deep, it's even harder to fight the current, but hiking poles help -- and the deep spots don't last for long. But the best part is that this is the first hike I've ever done where my feet aren't hot!