Belukha is the greatest mountain in Siberia. To climb, climbers go first to the valley where the famous Akkem lake is located. From here you can enjoy magnificent views of the northwestern slope of Uch-Sumer (Belukha) - the sacred mountain of Altai. Akkem lakes are among the natural monuments and attractions of the natural park "Belukha". A lot of interesting and beautiful places are concentrated in this area, such as Kucherlinskoye, Lake of Mountain Spirits, Ak-Oyuk Valley, Yarlu River and others.
Akkem lake (general information)
This is not one lake, but two, which are connected to each other and have names - Upper and Lower. Most often, when speaking about Akkemsky lake, they mean the Lower. Because the one that is higher is formed only in the spring flood and is called "pulsating". Akkemskoye Lake is located in the Ust-Koksinsky district of the Altai Republic. The Akkem River, which is the right tributary of the Katun, leads its way from them. The dimensions of the Lower Lake are 1350 meters long and 610 meters wide. The altitude here is 2050 meters above sea level.
Average depth 8-9 meters. FROMAkkem lakes offer a beautiful view of the mountains, including Belukha, the highest point in Siberia. And although the Upper Akkem Lake is closer to Belukha, the view from the Lower Lake is slightly better: there the great mountain is reflected in the water like in a mirror. The nearest settlement is Tungur. In the vicinity of the lake in the northwest there is an old Akkem meteorological station, which has been operating since 1932. Next to it is a helipad. On the left bank there is a climbing camp "Belukha", as well as a rescue base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Lake water
The water in the lake is usually cloudy, it can change its color throughout the year, from milky to a darker shade. This effect is achieved due to the rocks dissolved in water. At the bottom of the reservoir is glacial silt. That is why the lake and the river deserve such a name - Ak-Kem, translated as "white water". When evening comes and the dark sky and the white wall of Belukha are reflected in the water, Akkemskoe Lake becomes slightly bluish. Photos taken at this time of day are especially beautiful.
Both lakes are of glacial origin. Like the whole valley, which is a typical glacial trough. The lakes are fed by two rivers - Ak-Kem and Ak-Oyuk, they originate from the Rodzevich glacier on the northeastern slope of Belukha. Therefore, the water in them is very cold, only 4 degrees above zero. Such temperature and turbidity of the water make the lake absolutely fish-free.
Animals and flora
Local fauna is very diverse. Of the ungulates, the mountain goat and the deer live. Predators: wolf and bear. The lake valley is inhabited by more than ten species of birds included in the Redbook.
The shores of the lake are covered with glacial deposits and covered with moss and shrubs. In the vicinity, mainly coniferous species grow, larches predominate, which in autumn paint the entire valley in golden color. There are edelweiss (in the Yarlu valley) - beautiful flowers that grow in the highlands.
Lake Superior
Now scientists call this lake "pulsating" because it is temporary. Once the Upper Akkem Lake was quite large. It was formed by an ancient glacier, which descended from the mountains and plowed a small basin. It later melted and filled this basin with water.
But the terminal moraine, which impeded the outflow of water from the formed lake, was gradually eroded. Now the lake basin is filled with water only during the period of intensive melting in the mountains. It happens in the spring, but not every year.
Akkem wall and glacier
First discovered the Akkem Sapozhnikov Glacier at the end of the 19th century. He named it after his expedition mate with whom they filmed. Since then, it has been the glacier of V. I. Rodzevich, or Akkem. However, the second name stuck better. The glacier covers an area of 10 square kilometers. It is a circus in shape, surrounded on both sides by the Akkem wall.
Akkem wall is a rocky formation on the northeastern slope of Mount Belukha (4506 meters). Its angle of inclination is 50 degrees, although it seems to be sheer. She stretches 6kilometers and especially attracts climbers and climbers. In length, it stretched in an arc for 10 kilometers between the peaks of Delaunay and the Siberian crown. It is completely and all year round covered with firn and ice. The Akkem wall is a natural barrier to winds, moisture condenses from the air here, so the snow line is very low.
Mountain Spirit Lake
This is one of those beautiful places visited by tourists, looking at Lake Akkem while parking. These sights are worth a short one-day trip. To come to the Lake of Mountain Spirits, you must first get to the famous chapel of the Archangel Michael, dedicated to the fallen climbers. Then you should go up the Kara-Ayuk stream. This water stream originates from the lake. The name of the lake was given by tourists.
It is small: 150 meters long and 50 meters wide. The water in it is very clear, clean and icy, and in clear weather it becomes turquoise. On both sides of the lake there are gray stone talus, contrasting with the shade of the water surface. On the northern and western shores there is an opportunity to put up several tents. From here you can go to the Nadezhda Pass and climb the Yarlu Peak (3370 meters).
Valley of the Seven Lakes
To get to the Ak-Oyuk valley, you need to overcome three steps of the ascent. The first step lasts 150 meters, you need to climb immediately from Lake Akkem. It is necessary to go towards Mount Ak-Oyuk with a hanging glacier. Three lakes are located on the second step. They are beautiful, but not as picturesque as the upper ones. On thethe last step you can see four more lakes.
The first water mirror is distinguished by its black color, which is given to it by the stones lying at the bottom. The water in it is very clear and warm, if you wish, you can swim. The second lake is turquoise, but very cold. It is mostly deep, but there is also a shallow sandy bottom. The third lake is called the Bride, it is all overgrown with flowers and looks very elegant, festive. The fourth water mirror pleases the eye with its turquoise hues.
Yarlu River Valley
This valley stretched out on the left side of Lake Akkem at an altitude of 2000 meters. Roerich stopped here in search of the mysterious Belovodye. A special place for pilgrimage is the Roerich stone, marked with his sign. A stone town of tours is laid out around it. It is called the Stone of Wisdom, it is smooth and round, unlike the rocks surrounding it. The upper part of the valley is protected by a mountain range, which is also the watershed between the rivers Yarlu and Tekel. The ridge is somewhat similar to a woman who lies on the ground.
It is clearly visible from the Kara-Turek pass. In the region of the "breast of a woman" the rock is as if painted in red, similar to blood, it is called the Heart of the Mother. The colorfulness of the local mountains is amazing, the colors become especially bright after rain. The streams flowing down the slopes also have different shades of water. Here grow edelweiss - mysterious flowers, symbolizing wisdom.
You can get to the Yarlu Valley by boat across the lake orover the suspension bridge.
How to get there
Many tourists tend to visit Lake Akkem. How to get to it is easy to find out by tracing the whole way on the map. All roads to Gorny Altai lead through the city of Biysk, located in the Altai Territory. Behind this city, the Chuysky tract begins, along which a decent part of the path to Akkemskoye Lake will pass. Altai, or rather its mountainous part, also begins after Biysk. The Chuysky tract stretches across the whole republic, as a rule, this road is in good condition. The next item is Splices. After it, bypassing Gorno-Altaisk - the center of the republic, you need to pass through Mayma. Passing Manzherok, in front of the village of Ust-Sema, you need to turn right, following the M-52 highway towards Tashanta. There is a bridge across the Katun, and it is necessary to pass through it. Then there will be an ascent to the Seminsky pass, it is low and technically uncomplicated. After descending from it there will be a fork, you should turn right, towards the sign for Ust-Kan and Ust-Koksa. Then comes the Uimon steppe, and finally, along a good gravel road, you can get to Tungur.
Route to Akkem Lake
Various horse and foot routes start from Tungur. Here you can, for example, hire horses and an instructor, so as not to overcome this path on foot. There are two ways to get to the Akkem lakes, they all go through the fir-larch taiga. The first option: from Tungur go through the Kuzuyak pass, get to the Akkema valley, then go upstream and get to the lakes themselves. The second option: go up the Kucherla River. Then climb to the Kara-Turek pass, heightwhich is already 3060 meters, a magnificent view of Belukha opens from here. Then go down and go to the Akkema valley and the lakes. Often the route is organized in such a way as to ascend to the Belukha region in one way, and descend in another way to see as many sights as possible. For example, go through the Kuzuyak pass to Akkem, and go down the Kucherla River, which also offers very beautiful views. This journey will take three and a half days.
Tourist Tips
The climate in the mountain area is quite severe and cold, the weather is very changeable, it can suddenly rain or snow. Therefore, it is better to stock up on warm and waterproof clothing.
The way to Akkemskoe Lake in any case will have to be overcome on foot or on horseback. Therefore, you need to be prepared for a 40-kilometer transition. Good shoes are needed, special trekking boots are best.
Spend the night on the lake, most likely, will be in a tent, so first you need to take with you all the necessary equipment for living outside of civilization.
In the summer, the Altai Mountains are full of ticks, so it's best to bring special clothes with tight-fitting sleeves, constantly look around and get vaccinated in advance.
