Rocky Pool / Penguin Rock / Rocky Pool

This is part of the greater Helena Pipehead Walk, Helena Valley.

The Penguin Rock (seen at the Rocky Pool) is one of several rocks that can be interpreted to resemble animals - I found one on the start of the trail which I looked to me to be a Turtle-Head. Look for it in the pics.

We chose a very cold July day wearing several layers of clothing and no matter how sweaty I became - it was just too cold to remove the jumper. We weren't planning on doing this walk hence we only did part of it. No maps to rely upon just word of mouth from other people walking. Parking was very limited.

We started the walk on this beautiful sunny Sunday. The trail begins as wide as a roadway, nicely wide grey/white quarts-like soil which makes a squeaking noise with every step. It began relatively flat with bush enclosing us all along each side. The first of the wildflowers had provided shots of blues and purples in isolated patches all around. The road split into two, we were told it is a loop and the right pathway went to the waterfalls first. This sounded good to us until a little up the road had become narrower and the surface had given out to gravel. We spoke to a few people along the way aw any mostly couples who had well prepared for the walk or serious single trekkers. Surprisingly we also saw some families with very small children - not sure if they had actually completed the whole walk..

Fortunately we wore hiking boots and not sand shoes as at times it became a water rutted trail where you could easily do an ankle.

We ascended sharply upward hoping for some respite. There are a couple of very long very very steep hills where the surface is just rough, sometimes loose. We slipped on clay regularly due to the previous days rains.

At one point, you will be coming down a very washed out trail where an old vehicle wreck sits at a fork in the trail. You should be able to hear flowing water which is a small stream - depending upon how much rain has fallen recently. If coming from our way, heading northeastward - take the left trail (or northward). It was almost 2 hrs when we came across the stream and a wide smooth river crossing made from two large concrete slabs.

We located the falls almost 20 minutes later. I was surprised to see around 24 people at the falls (yes, I counted). Here was a small information sign and nearby a rock resembling a penguin. Be aware that the falls, the sign and the penguin rock are all within 10 meters of each other however many maps show these things to be much further apart.

The pool was in full flow and a loud constant roar raised the level for everyone to communicate, with lots of people saying Whaaat? Paaardon? LOL causing each other to laugh. The waterfalls were freezing but such a joy in the middle of this area so close to the city. There are many places to sit and enjoy the mesmerizing flow of the water.

We considered the loop trail, which would take us around the Helena Pipehead Dam for our return journey however the access from here was not clear. We decided to make it another day trip .

In all it was approx 2:15 to get to the falls and only 1 hour to return. Since we now knew the trail, it was more motivating to be heading back to the car, where we knew there was some chocolate!

Worthwhile sight to see! Almost got confused whether it was a real penguin or not ???? …