Mountain spurs of northern slope of Terskey Ala-Too ridge.

“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 Juuku 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 Naryn River Valley.” 1913.

Hiking through Juku Pass to Kumtor River Valley.

Flowing, fresh, moraine lake Juku Upper (Dugloromo) is located at an altitude of 3305 meters above sea level, is located on northern slope of Terskey Ala-Too ridge, in upper reaches of Juku River, 1.6 kilometers to north and slightly east of Juku Pass at an altitude of 3633.3 meters above sea level, 1.9 kilometers to south of moraine lake Juku North in Jety-Oguz district of Issyk-Kul region. 
Lake Juku Upper (Dugloromo) is a high-mountain pearl of the Terskey Ala-Too, this is one of the most picturesque and mysterious reservoirs of the northern slope of the Terskey mountain range, located in the upper reaches of the Juku gorge. It is located at a considerable altitude, surrounded by severe mountain ranges, glaciers and alpine meadows.
This place attracts travelers with its solitude, inaccessible beauty and pristine nature.
Geographical position and origin of Lake Djuku Upper (Dugloromo). 
Djugloromo is a lake of glacial origin, formed as a result of melting glaciers, leaving behind a closed basin among the mountain peaks. The lake occupies a bowl-shaped depression and is fed by glacial waters, seasonal precipitation and melted snow.
The lake is dammed by a huge moraine 1.3 kilometers long, from which a river flows, carrying its waters to Issyk-Kul, then flows under the rubble of moraine stones, appears on the surface at the end of the moraine 246 meters before flowing into Lake Djuku North.
Climate and natural conditions of Lake Djuku Upper (Dugloromo). 
Being located at an altitude of over 3633.3 meters above sea level, Lake Djuku 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 rains 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 Djuku Upper (Dugloromo) is extremely poor. Only alpine mosses, lichens and frost-resistant grasses adapted to permafrost and a harsh climate are found here. Below, in the Djuku Gorge, dwarf willow, Tien-Shan spruce, juniper and meadow grasses grow, but closer to the lake they are replaced by bare rocks, scree and snowfields.
Fauna and features of ecosystem of Lake Djuku Upper (Dugloromo).
Despite the severity of the conditions, Lake Djuku Upper is a habitat for 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.
Marmots, which build their burrows in the rocky meadow zone.
Birds of prey, such as bearded vultures (lambs), eagles and golden eagles, soaring in the sky above the gorge.
There is practically no life in the water itself due to low temperatures - there are no fish here, but you can find small invertebrates adapted to extreme conditions.
Route to the lake and its tourist value:
Lake Djuku Upper is one of the most inaccessible natural attractions of the region. You can only get to it on foot, taking a difficult route through the Djuku gorge.
The path to the lake includes:
Climbing the Djuku gorge - the route begins at the bottom of the gorge, where tourists follow the river of the same name.
Crossing high-mountain meadows and syrts - here the landscape gives way to hilly plateaus dotted with stones and rare plants. Exit to the glacier zone - as you climb, scree, snowfields and glaciers appear, creating an almost polar landscape.
The final push - the final part of the path leads through moraine hills and rocky areas, after which a mesmerizing view of the lake opens up before the traveler. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, Dugloromo remains an untouched place where nature has preserved its pristine nature.
This place is ideal for experienced climbers, extreme tourism enthusiasts and those who want to enjoy wild nature, far from civilization.
Lake Juku Upper (Dugloromo) is a unique natural site that combines glacial silence, harsh climate and stunning panoramic views. It is unlike other lakes in the region due to its seclusion, high-mountain location and extreme conditions. Visiting this place requires endurance, experience and careful preparation, but for those who are ready for the challenge, the reward will be an unforgettable experience and a sense of touching the grandeur of the wild nature of the Tien-Shan.
Geographic coordinates of Lake Juku Upper (Dugloromo): N41°57'28 E77°50'19

Authority and photos by:
Alexander Petrov.