Trip around lakes in Terskey Ala-Too Range

“Soon the river widens into a second smaller lake with almost transparent water. Soon juniper appears, and then a spruce forest along the right northern slope. From here the Djuuku Valley, stretching to the northeast, is very picturesque. Its right slope, partly wooded, is covered with dense turf of a low meadow, and the left is dry - with lonely bushes of dry grass.”

V.V. Sapozhnikov. “Explorations in the Naryn River Valley.” 1913.

Best natural places in Terskey Ala-Too Mountains.

Flowing, fresh, moraine lake Djuku North is located at an altitude of 3132 meters above sea level, is located on northern slope of Terskey Ala-Too ridge, in upper reaches of Djuku River, 3.4 kilometers north of Djuku Pass at an altitude of 3633.3 meters above sea level, 1.9 kilometers north of moraine lake Djuku Verkhnee (Dugloromo) in Jety-Oguz district of Issyk-Kul region. 
Lake Djuku North is one of the picturesque high-mountain reservoirs in the Terskey Ala-Too ridge. This remote lake is a natural reservoir of glacial origin. The Djuku River flows into the lake, which originates from the Djuku glacier with a length of 3 kilometers, located on the southeastern slope of the Terskey Ala-Too ridge.
A river flows out of the glacier, which after 343 meters flows into the high-mountain lake Dzhuku Verkhneye West located at an altitude of 3820 meters above sea level. The length of the lake is 576 meters, the lake is elongated and its width does not exceed 115 meters in the upper part, the area of ​​the lake is 0.08 square kilometers, the length of the coastline reaches 1.72 kilometers.
The lake was formed as a result of the melting of glaciers that filled one of the bowl-shaped basins in the gorge. The reservoir is fed by melted glacial waters, seasonal precipitation and small mountain streams flowing down the surrounding slopes.
The lake is flowing, a river flows out of it, which then connects with the main channel of the Dzhuku River. Being located in the zone of alpine meadows and rocky high-mountain landscapes, Lake Dzhuku North is subject to a harsh climate. In summer, the temperature rarely rises above 10 - 15°C, and in winter the reservoir is covered with a thick layer of ice.
Even in the warm months, there may be sharp temperature changes, frequent rains, snowfalls and strong winds.The vegetation around the lake is sparse and consists mainly of mosses, lichens and low-growing alpine grasses. Closer to the lower parts of the gorge, there are thickets of dwarf willow and juniper. In the waters of the lake, you can find mountain invertebrates, and the adjacent territory is home to snow leopards, mountain goats, marmots and various species of birds of prey.
Lake Dzhuku North attracts travelers and climbers seeking to enjoy the majestic nature of Terskey Ala-Too. It is located on a popular route leading through the Djuku Pass, connecting the Issyk-Kul Basin with the highlands of the Central Tien-Shan.
Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, the lake remains virtually untouched, preserving its natural purity and virginity. It is valuable not only from an environmental point of view, but also as an important element of the region's hydrological system.
A visit to the lake requires good physical fitness and appropriate equipment, since the path to it passes through difficult mountain paths, scree and glacial areas. However, for experienced tourists, the reward for overcoming difficulties is an unforgettable view of the water surface sparkling in the rays of the sun among the harsh mountain landscapes.
Geographical coordinates of Lake Djuku North: N41°58'28 E77°49'58

Authority and photos by:
Alexander Petrov.