Akkem Lake: where is it? sights

Belukha is the greatest mountain in Siberia to climb, the climbers go first to the valley where the famous Akkem lake is located. From here you can see magnificent views of the north-western slope of Uch-Sumera (Belukha) - the sacred mountain of Altai. Akkemskie lakes are among the monuments of nature and attractions of the natural park "Belukha". In this area there are a lot of interesting and beautiful places, such as Kucherlinskoe, 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 - the Upper and Lower. Most often, when talking about the Akkem lake, they mean the Lower. Because that which is higher, is formed only in the spring flood and is called "pulsating." Akkem Lake is located in the Ust-Koksinsky District of the Altai Republic. From them the river Akkem, which is the right tributary of Katun, leads its way. Dimensions of the Lower Lake: length 1350 meters, and width 610. Height here above sea level - 2050 meters.

The average depth is 8-9 meters. From Akkemskie lakes a beautiful view of the mountains opens, including on Belukha - the highest point of Siberia. And although the Upper Akkem Lake is closer to Belukha, from the Lower Lake the view is slightly better: there the great mountain is reflected in the water as in a mirror. The nearest town is Tungur. In the vicinity of the lake in the north-west is the old, working since 1932, the weather station "Akkem." Next to it is a helipad. On the left bank there is a climbing camp "Belukha", as well as a rescue base for the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Water of the lake

The water in the lake is usually turbid, can change its color throughout the year, from milky to a darker shade. This effect is achieved due to the dissolved rocks in the water. At the bottom of the reservoir is glacial silt. That is why the lake and the river deserved such a name - Ak-Kem, translated as "white water". When the evening comes and the dark sky and the white wall of the Belukha reflect in the water, the Akkem lake becomes slightly bluish. The photos taken at this time of the day are especially beautiful.

Both lakes are of glacial origin. Like the whole valley, which is a typical glacial trough. Lakes feed two rivers - Ak-Kem and Ak-Oyuk, they originate from the Rodzevich glacier on the north-eastern slope of Belukha. Therefore, the water in them is very cold, only 4 degrees above zero. This temperature and turbidity of the water make the lake absolutely bezrybnym.

Animal and plant life

Local fauna is very diverse. From ungulates live a mountain goat and a maral. Predators: wolf and bear. The valley of the lake is inhabited by more than ten species of birds included in the Red Book.

The shores of the lake are covered with glacial deposits and are covered with moss and shrubs. In the vicinity, mainly coniferous species grow, larch dominates, which in autumn color the whole valley in gold. There are edelweiss (in the Yarlu valley) - beautiful flowers that grow in the highlands.

Upper Lake

Now scientists call this lake "pulsating", as it is temporary. Once the Upper Akkem Lake was large enough. Formed it an ancient glacier, which descended from the mountains and plowed a small hollow. Later it melted and filled this hollow with water. But the final moraine, which hampered the outflow of water from the formed lake, gradually blurred. Now the lake basin is filled with water only in the period of intensive melting in the mountains. It happens in the spring, but not every year.

The Akkem wall and glacier

For the first time discovered Akkem Glacier Sapozhnikov in the late XIX century. He named it after his fellow expedition, with whom they shot. Since then it is the glacier VI. Rodzevich, or Akkem. However, the second name got better. The glacier covers an area of 10 square kilometers. In form it is a circus, surrounded on both sides by the Akkem wall.

The Akkem wall is a rocky formation of the north-eastern slope of Belukha Mountain (4506 meters). The angle of its slope is 50 degrees, although it seems steep. It stretches for 6 kilometers and especially attracts rock climbers and climbers. In length it was stretched by 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, the moisture here condenses out of the air, so the snow line passes very low.

Lake of Mountain Spirits

This is one of those beautiful places that tourists visit, during the parking while looking at the Akkem Lake. These attractions are worth a small one-day trek. To come to the lake of the Mountain Spirits, you must first get to the famous chapel of the Archangel Michael, dedicated to the dead mountaineers. Then you should go up the stream of Kara-Ayuk. This water flow originates from the lake. The name of the lake was given to tourists. It is small: a length of 150 meters and a width of 50. The water in it is very clear, clean and icy, and in clear weather it becomes a turquoise color. On both sides of the lake there are gray stone screes, contrasting with a touch of water. On the northern and western shores, it is possible to put several tents. From here you can go to the Nadezhda Pass and make an ascent to the top of Yarlu (3370 meters).

The Seven Lakes Valley

To get to the Ak-Oyuk valley, you need to overcome three stages of recovery. The first stage lasts 150 meters, it is necessary to climb immediately from Akkem Lake. It is necessary to go to the side of Ak-Oyuk mountain with a hanging glacier. At the second stage are three lakes. They are beautiful, but not as picturesque as the upper ones. At the last step you can see four more lakes.
The first water mirror is highlighted in its black color, which gives it the stones lying on the bottom. The water in it is very clear and warm, if desired, you can swim. The second lake is turquoise, but very cold. Basically it is deep, but there is also a sandbank with a sandy bottom. The third lake is called the Bride, it is overgrown with flowers and looks very elegant, festive. The fourth water mirror pleases the eye with its turquoise shades.

The valley of the river Jarlu

This valley stretched from the left side of Lake Akkem at an altitude of 2000 meters. Here Roerich stayed in search of the mysterious Belovod'e. A special place for pilgrimage is the Roerich stone marked with its sign. A stone town of rounds is laid out around it. It is called the Stone of Wisdom, it is smooth and round, unlike the surrounding rocks. The upper part of the valley is protected by a mountain range, it is also a watershed between the rivers Yarlu and Tekel. The ridge is something like a woman who lies on the ground.

It is clearly visible from the pass Kara-Turek. In the region of the "woman's breast," the rock appears to be colored red, similar to blood, called the Heart of the Mother. The beauty of the local mountains is amazing, especially the bright colors become after the rain. Brooks flowing down the slopes also have different shades of water. Here, edelweiss grows - mysterious flowers symbolizing wisdom.

You can get to the Yarlu valley by boat through the lake or over a suspension bridge.

How to get there

Many tourists are eager to visit Akkem Lake. How to get to it, it's easy to find out, tracing the whole way through the map. All roads to the Altai Mountains lead through the city of Biysk, located in the Altai Territory. Behind this city begins the Chuysky tract, along which a decent part of the road to Akkemskoe Lake will pass. Altai, or rather its mountainous part, also begins after Biysk. Chuysky tract stretches across the whole republic, as a rule, this road is in good condition. The next item is Srostki. After it, bypassing Gorno-Altaisk - the center of the republic, you need to drive through Maymu. Passing Manzherok, in front of the village of Ust-Sema, it is necessary to turn to the right, following the M-52 highway towards Tashanti. Here there is a bridge across Katun, on it and it is necessary to pass. Further there will be an ascent to Seminsky pass, it is low and technically uncomplicated. After descent from it there will be a fork, turn to the right, towards the signpost to Ust-Kan and Ust-Koksu. Then comes the Uimonian steppe, and finally, along a good gravel road you can get to Tungur.

Route to the Akkem Lake

Various horse and foot routes start from the Tungur. Here it is possible, for example, to hire horses and instructors so as not to cross this path on foot. Prior to the Akkem lakes, you can go in two ways, they all go along 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 river Kucherla. Further to rise on pass Kara-Tjurek which height already 3060 meters, from here the magnificent kind on Belukha opens. Then go down and go to the valley of Akkem and to the lakes. Often the route is organized in such a way as to climb the Belukha area in one way, and go down to another to see as many sights. For example, go through the Kuzuyak pass to Akkem, and go down the river Kucherle, which also has very beautiful views. Such a road will take three and a half days.

Tips for tourists

The climate around the mountain is quite severe and cold, the weather is very changeable, suddenly it may rain or snow. Therefore, it is better to stock yourself with warm and waterproof clothes.

The way to Akkem Lake in any case have to be overcome on foot or by horse. Therefore, you need to be ready for a 40-kilometer transition. Need good shoes, best of all special tracking boots.

Overnight on the lake, most likely, will be in the tent, so you must first take with you all the necessary equipment for living outside of civilization.

In summer, the Altai Mountains abound with ticks, so it's better to bring special clothes with tightly fitting sleeves, constantly look around and get vaccinated in advance.