Walk to moraine lakes in upper reaches of Djuku River.

“Between them, green lakes were visible, only partly covered with ice, and where there was none, flocks of beautiful scoters (Casarca rutila) swam on them, striking with their shiny metallic red and blue colors, reminiscent of the colors of birds of paradise.”

P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky. “Journey to Tien-Shan.” 1856-1857.

Sights of Djuku Gorge.

Flowing, fresh, moraine lake Juku West is located at an altitude of 3820 meters above sea level, is located on northern slope of Terskey Ala-Too ridge, in upper reaches of Juku River, 3.8 kilometers northwest of Juku pass at an altitude of 3633.3 meters above sea level, 3.9 kilometers west of moraine lake Juku Upper Dugloromo, 4.1 kilometers southwest of Lake Juku Northern in Jety-Oguz district of Issyk-Kul region. 
Moraine lake Juku West is located in one of the most picturesque corners of Kyrgyzstan. This is a unique natural object formed as a result of melting glaciers and the accumulation of moraine deposits.
Geographical position and origin of Lake Juku West.
The lake is of glacial origin, its waters are fed by melted snow and glaciers, which gives it a crystal clear and cold character. Due to its high-mountain location, the water in the lake maintains a low temperature even in summer. The shores of the lake are framed by rock scree and alpine meadows, creating a unique landscape.
In the eastern part, the lake is dammed by an ancient, huge moraine with 5 small glacial lakes located on it. The sources of the Dzhuku River begin from the north-eastern part of the lake, which after 64 kilometers flows into the Pokrovsky Bay of Lake Issyk-Kul.
From the Dzhuku glacier, the main part of which is 3 kilometers long, a river flows out, which flows after 353 meters from the west into the lake. From the southern side, another river flows into the lake, which originates from the Dzhuku Eastern glacier, 2.2 kilometers long.
The length of this tributary is 708 meters from the tongue of the glacier to the southwestern part of the lake. The upper boundary of the Dzhuku glacier is at altitudes of 4826 and 4548.5 meters above sea level. The glacier is located in a mountain spur located north of the main ridge of the Terskey Ala-Too range, which is located between the Dungureme and Dzhuku rivers.
The length of the lake is 952 meters, its width in the central part does not exceed 355 meters, the area of ​​the lake is 0.34 square kilometers, the length of the coastline reaches 3.06 kilometers.
Ecological significance of Lake Dzhuku West.
The lake plays an important role in the ecosystem of the region. It is a source of fresh water and affects the hydrological regime of the Dzhuku River. Rare species of flora and fauna live in its vicinity, including endemic plants, high-mountain birds and mammals, such as the snow leopard and mountain goats.
Climate and natural conditions of Lake Dzhuku West.
Being located at an altitude of over 3633.3 meters above sea level, Lake Dzhuku Verkhnee has an extremely harsh climate. Here, sharp temperature changes prevail: in the summer, the air can warm up to +10…+12°C during the day, but at night the temperature often drops below zero. In winter, the lake is covered with a thick layer of ice, which lasts most of the year and is freed from ice in early June.
Weather conditions change rapidly: sunny days can suddenly give way to snowfalls, freezing rain and squalls. The wind walking along the gorge is sometimes so strong that it tears off tents, and the water temperature remains icy even in the warm months.
Flora in vicinity of Lake Dzhuku Western is extremely poor. Here you can find only alpine mosses, lichens and frost-resistant grasses adapted to permafrost and a harsh climate. Here you can find plants that characterize the high-mountain alpine flora of the Tien-Shan: Anemone micrantha, An. narcisiflora, Ranunculus altaicus, Ran. gelidus, Oxygraphis glacialis, Callianthemum rutaefolium, Trollius altaicus, Hegemone lilacina, Isopyrum grandiflorum, Aconitum rotundifolium, Papaver alpinum, Corydalis Gortchakovii, Draba pilosa, Viola Gmeliniana, Viola grandiflora, Oxytropis oligantha, Dryadantha Bungeana, Saxifraga flagellaris, Valeriana globulariaefolia, Primula cortusoides, Primula nivalis, Gentiana foliata, Gent. aurea, Gent. prostrata, Gent. Kurros, Gent. frigida, Gymnandra borealis, Allium Semenovi.). Fauna and features of the ecosystem of Lake Dzhuku West.
Despite the harsh conditions, Lake Dzhuku Verkhnee is home to several species of animals and birds. Here you can meet:
Snow leopards, whose tracks are sometimes found in the snow fields nearby.
Mountain goats (argali and ibex), living on the slopes of the surrounding ridges.
Birds of prey, such as bearded vultures (lambs), eagles and golden eagles, soaring in the sky above the gorge.
In the water itself, due to the low temperatures, there is practically no life - there are no fish here, but you can find small invertebrates adapted to extreme conditions.
Tourism and accessibility of Lake Dzhuku Western.
Access to the lake is difficult due to its remoteness and high-altitude location. Tourists must overcome a difficult route, which includes hiking along steep paths, glacial and rocky areas. However, those who dare to go on a journey will be rewarded with stunning views and a sense of pristine nature.
Moraine Lake Djuku Western is not only a beautiful natural site, but also an important element of the Terskey Ala-Too ecosystem. Its unique nature attracts researchers, tourists and wildlife lovers, preserving its untouched beauty and ecological value.
Geographical coordinates of Lake Djuku West: N41°57'15 E77°47'31

Authority and photos by:
Alexander Petrov.