A warm day in the Valley called for a trip north to cool off. What better way to cool off than to go hiking followed by a swim in a crystal clear creek with a beautiful 20 foot waterfall!! My hiking friend and I set out early Sunday morning from Mesa and after a beautiful drive through Payson, Pine and Strawberry - hit the trailhead around 9:30. Walk down was met by many coming back up who camped the day before. When you reach the falls, I was surprised on how beautiful and big it was. After taking some pics, jumped in and began exploring the falls. Really cool cave/grotto underneath the falls!! Another cool area which requires a swim underwater through a submerged hole to reach a side area which had the water spinning within like a whirlpool! Tried to climb the rope out of the side hole - but neither my friend nor I could get a good traction, and after a brief period of panic just swam back the way we came in. After some sunning on a rock, we had lunch and then explored more before heading back out. The trip out was a hot, tiring and long - but occasional shade and a nice breeze helped us back. Stopped at the Strawberry Lodge for some after lunch lunch - very tasty burgers - highly recommended place to stop. All in all, a memorable hike for the two of us and one that EVERYONE who hikes in Arizona should check out!