Ecological tour  in West Altai Reserve.

"We hadn't even traveled a hundred meters when we spotted white butterflies flying around. Dismounting and catching one was a matter of moments. But imagine my joy when I recognized this butterfly as the rarest representative of the Parnassius genus, the famous Apollonius, which had so far only been found in one specimen by Fedchenko's expedition."

 S. Alferaki. "Kuldzha and Tien-Shan." 1879. 

Nature West Altai Reserve.

Lake Kedrovoe is pearl of Western Altai taiga highlands.

In the eastern part of the Ivanovskiy Range, among the majestic mountains of the Western Altai, lies one of the most picturesque and unusual high-mountain lakes in Eastern Kazakhstan – Lake Kedrovoe. It is located within the West Altai State Nature Reserve, where the influence of modern civilization is practically unnoticeable.
Unlike most Among the high-mountain lakes of the Ivanovskiy Range, surrounded primarily by scree and alpine meadows, Kedrovoe Lake is surrounded on all sides by dense Siberian taiga, which gives it its name. It is the combination of clear mountain water, mighty cedar forests, snowfields, rocky slopes, and complete silence that makes this corner one of the most attractive natural landmarks of the Western Altai.

Geographical location of Kedrovoe Lake.

The freshwater cirque-moraine Kedrovoe Lake is located at an altitude of 1950 m. a. s. l. within the Ridder city administration of the East Kazakhstan Region. The lake is located in the eastern spurs of the Ivanovskiy Range, west of the Koksu Range.
It occupies a central position among a group of well-known high-mountain lakes in the area: 1.1 km to the southeast is Shcherbakov Lake, 1.3 km to the southwest is First Beloubinskoye Lake, 1.1 km to the south is Second Beloubinskoye Lake, 1.1 km to the southeast is Third ​​Beloubinskoye Lake, and 1.2 km to the southeast is Four Beloubinskoye Lake.
This location makes Kedrovoe Lake an important part of the high-mountain lake complex on the northern slope of the eastern Ivanovsky Range.

Origin of Kedrovoe Lake.

The Kedrovoe Lake basin is of moraine-glacial origin. During the last alpine glaciation, powerful glaciers descending from the Ivanovsky Range slowly eroded the rock, deepening natural depressions. As the glaciers retreated, moraine ridges formed here, acting as natural dams.
A basin formed between them, gradually filling with water. Despite its relatively small size, the lake has perfectly preserved the characteristic features of its glacial origin. It is surrounded by ancient landforms shaped by millennia of ice action, frost weathering, and mountain streams.
Today, Kedrovoe Lake is a unique monument to the last glaciation of Altai.

Morphometric features of Kedrovoe Lake.

Kedrovoe Lake tarn extends from southwest to northeast. Its length is 214 meters, its maximum width reaches 211 meters, its water surface area is 63,000 square meters, and the shoreline extends 981 meters. Its maximum depth reaches 21.5 meters. Its volume is 565,700 cubic meters.
Kedrovoe Lake is fed by melting snowfields located on the slope of the cirque south of the lake (northern exposure). The lake water is clear, turquoise in color, and contains no lacustrine forest deposits. The lake's drainage zone is westward. There is no surface runoff.
The lake discharges through evaporation and water filtration in the bedrock of the retaining wall, reaching the surface 70 meters from the lake. This contributes to the formation of the headwaters of one of the most beautiful rivers in Western Altai.
The channel width in the drainage zone ranges from 1 to 1.3 meters, and the flow velocity ranges from 1.2 to 2.8 m/s. The water discharge is 0.18 m3/s. The slopes of the lake basin are steep in the southern and southeastern parts of the lake.
In the northern, western, and eastern parts, the slopes are gentle. The upper (southern and southeastern) part of the lake is adjacent to a scree slope and a cliff. The fertile soil layer around the lake is 15-75 cm. Vegetation includes alpine grass, Siberian pine, larch, dwarf birch, and shrubs.
The water's purity is due to the constant flow of melted snow and rainwater, as well as the absence of any sources of industrial pollution.

Authority: 
State Institution "Kazselezashchita." Emergency Situations Committee Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. East Kazakhstan Territorial Operational Administration. Belaya Uba River Basin. Passport for Tarn Lake No. 5 (Kedrovoe).

Relief and surrounding landscape of Kedrovoe Lake.

Kedrovoe Lake is located in a picturesque intermountain basin. The southern part of the lake basin is bounded by the steep slope of Mount Beloubinskaya, 2,065 m. a. s. l., composed of ancient rock formations. For most of the summer, a snowfield remains here, feeding cold meltwater to the streams that flow into the lake.
The contrast between the white snowfield, the dark green of the cedars, and the mirror-like surface of the water creates one of the most striking high-mountain landscapes of the Ivanovskiy Range. The western, northern, and eastern shores are covered in dense cedar forests.
This makes the lake seem hidden among the centuries-old taiga. Only a few points offer a full view. One of the best natural viewing platforms is the Lineyskie Pillars, which offers a magnificent panorama of the lake basin, surrounded by cedar forest and high mountain slopes.
In clear, windless weather, the lake's surface becomes a vast mirror, reflecting the slender Siberian cedars, the granite peaks of the Linea Pillars, and slowly drifting clouds.

Climate around Kedrovoe Lake.

Kedrovoe Lake is located in the humid high-altitude climate zone of the Western Altai. The weather here is exceptionally variable. Clear, sunny mornings often give way to thick fog, rain, or even brief snowfall. The region's climate is greatly influenced by westerly air masses, so the western and northwestern slopes receive particularly high amounts of precipitation.
High humidity combined with moderate summer temperatures creates favorable conditions for the development of lush vegetation. Interestingly, of the many high-altitude moraine lakes in the Ivanovo Range, Kedrovoe Lake is considered one of the warmest.
This is facilitated by the relatively sheltered position of the basin, good insolation, and the presence of dense forest, which reduces the impact of cold winds.

Flora of Kedrovoe Lake.

The magnificent cedar forests are the main treasure of the surrounding area. They define the unique character of the entire landscape and create a special microclimate around the lake. Rowan, honeysuckle, juniper, numerous ferns, and mosses grow beneath the canopy of Siberian cedars.
In more open areas, subalpine and alpine meadows develop, distinguished by a rich variety of grasses. In summer, the slopes are covered with flowering mountain plants, and the wet meadows acquire unusually vibrant colors. The alternation of forest and meadow communities well reflects the vertical zonation characteristic of the Western Altai Mountains.

Fauna of Kedrovoe Lake.

The cedar forests provide a refuge for many representatives of the Altai fauna. The lake's surroundings are home to maral, roe deer, brown bear, sable, Siberian weasel, squirrel, chipmunk, and a variety of small forest animals. In the treetops, you can spot the nutcracker, a bird that played an important role in the natural dispersal of the Siberian cedar.
Thanks to the protected status, many animal species feel significantly more at ease here than outside the specially protected area.

Legend of Kedrovoe Lake.

A beautiful legend exists among the few travelers.
They say that when the ancient spirits of Altai were searching for a place where they could preserve the silence of the mountains, they found a small glacial basin among the cedar forests. To protect it from prying eyes, the spirits planted thousands of young cedars around it.
Each year, the trees grew taller, hiding the lake from casual travelers. Only those who come here with good intentions and respect for nature can truly appreciate the full beauty of this place. On a quiet, windless evening, when the mountain peaks and slowly drifting clouds are reflected in the mirror-like water, it seems as if time has stood still here, and nature itself carefully guards one of its most ancient secrets.
Of course, this legend is one of the folk legends, but it surprisingly accurately conveys the special atmosphere of Cedar Lake.

History of exploration of Kedrovoe Lake.

The history of scientific study of Kedrovoe Lake remains insufficiently known. Information about the first explorers and discoverers of this high-mountain reservoir has not yet been discovered. Most likely, the lake was known to hunters, foresters and guides long before the first scientific expeditions, but there is no documentary evidence of this yet.
Modern research in the area is mainly related to the activities of employees of the Western Altai State Nature Reserve and expeditions dedicated to the study of the natural complexes of the Ivanovskiy Range.

Hike to Kedrovoe Lake.

In July 2019, the author and his friends made a horseback trek from the Koksinsky ranger cordon through the Lineysky granite massif to Kedrovoe Lake. The route passed through one of the most picturesque parts of Western Altai. Along the way we encountered mountain streams, cedar forests, flowering subalpine meadows, granite outcrops and numerous areas of untouched taiga.
The first appearance of the lake makes a particularly strong impression. After a long journey through the forest, the traveler suddenly comes out to a calm, mirror-like surface, surrounded by majestic cedars. It is at this moment that it becomes clear why Kedrovoe Lake is considered one of the most beautiful natural attractions of the Ivanovskiy Range.

Tourist information for Kedrovoe Lake.

The most convenient route to the lake runs from the Lineysky Pillars area and the Koksinsky ranger cordon. There are walking and horse riding routes leading to the lake, passing through picturesque areas of taiga and alpine meadows. It should be remembered that the lake is located on the territory of the Western Altai State Nature Reserve.
A visit is possible only in compliance with the current environmental regime and rules established by the administration of the reserve. The best time to travel is from mid-June to August, when most of the mountain paths are clear of snow and the surrounding area of ​​the lake appears in all its beauty.

Meaning of Kedrovoe Lake.

Kedrovoe Lake is one of the most unique high-mountain lakes in Western Altai. Its uniqueness is determined not only by its glacial origin, but also by the unusual combination of taiga and high-mountain landscapes. It serves as an important element of the natural complex of the Ivanovo Range, participates in the formation of the upper reaches of the Belaya Uba and preserves rare ecosystems of cedar taiga and subalpine meadows.
For travelers, Kedrovoe Lake becomes a meeting place with almost untouched nature, where the harsh beauty of the mountains is surprisingly combined with the soft greenery of centuries-old cedars. That is why it is rightfully considered one of the natural pearls of the Western Altai State Nature Reserve.

Geographic coordinates of Lake Kedrovoe: N50°17'50 E84°08'52

Authority and photos by:
Alexander Petrov.