In the waning days of last summer (2003), I hiked (and waded) up the Sacramento River from the Cantara Loop to the mouth of Ney Springs Creek, and up to Fairy Falls. This year I resumed the hike (actually about 99% wading) from Ney Springs Creek up the river to Box Canyon Dam on Lake Siskiyou.
In comparing the two, the first hike was a stroll and the second a "grueller". Both were very enjoyable, though, and as soon as the dozens of cuts and bruises on my feet heal from wading in sandals for 5 or 6 hours over dark rocks in shade - not to mention the various blackberry runners which "halted" me like a plane landing on an aircraft carrier, I'll look upon the whole journey in a positive light (I hope).