The Altai Republic has long been called the heart of Eurasia. The mountainous region is famous for its picturesque landscapes and the fabulous beauty of pristine nature. Lake Cheybek Kol near Aktash is located in the mountains, not far from the highway to Ust-Ulagan. The reservoir is covered with an aura of mysticism, its second name is Dead Lake. Many local legends are associated with this place. It is one of the ten most mysterious corners of Altai.
Description, origin
The indigenous population calls the reservoir Cheybekkel or Cheybek Kol, which means “long, elongated”. This is due to its contour lines. With a length of 2 km, the maximum width in the northern part is 400 m, and in the southern part it does not exceed 70–80 m. The depth reaches 32–33 m. The reservoir is located in a mountainous area, 1949 m above sea level. The lake was formed as a result of the collapse of the eastern slope, which blocked the channel of the Chibitka River (another version of the name is Chibit). Refers to the dammed (dam) type of reservoirs, which appeared as a result of damming the flow.
The river flows into the southern part of the water area, and in the north it continues its path again, as if piercing Cheybek Kol. The answer to the question whether the Dead Lake is a drainage or internal drainage is the Chibitka flowing from it. Additionally, the reservoir is fed by precipitation, underground springs, melting snow. The cold climate of the highlands freezes the lake from autumn to early - mid-summer. The water is fresh, clean, tasteless and odorless. In the warm season, Cheybekkel attracts the eye with its rich dark blue color. The mirrored surface reflects the surrounding mountain slopes and mighty trees.
Secrets of Cheybek Kolya - the mysterious Dead Lake of Russia
The pond owes its unofficial name to travelers. Tourists noticed that fish do not live here, while Chibitka and the nearby lakes are rich in taimen, tench, and grayling.
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Myths and various theories were associated with the lake, with which people tried to explain the mysteries of the reservoir. It also served as an inspiration to the painter Choros-Gurkin, who painted the painting "Lake of Mountain Spirits". Art critics believe that the picture shows a collective image of several reservoirs of Gorny Altai. The story of the same name by science fiction writer I. Efremov is also associated with Cheybek Kol, although the action takes place on the shores of another Altai lake, in the valley of the Argut tributary, the Kurkure.
Choros-Gurkin * Lake of Mountain Spirits *.
In the 30s of the XX century, geologists discovered a deposit of mercury ore (cinnabar) in the vicinity of Aktash. This formed the basis of the common misconception that the poisonous compounds are contained in the lake itself.
According to another version, little sunlight penetrates into the gorge, the water does not warm up, and there is no phytoplankton in the lake that serves as food for fish. But further study showed that there is lower vegetation here. The most likely theory is now believed that the fish physically cannot get into the lake due to a significant difference in the heights of the river channel (up to 600 m). However, the myths surrounding Cheybek Kohl continue to attract tourists who dream of solving its mysteries. In recent years, the territory has been leased to a private fish farming company.
Where is Dead Lake on the map of Russia, how to get
The reservoir is located in Gorny Altai, in the Ulagan region of the republic. It is located in the upper reaches of the Chibitka River, on the 12th kilometer of the highway connecting the village of Aktash and Ust-Ulagan. The lake is 370 km away from the capital of the region. To get to it, you need to move along the P-256 highway to the south, then to the southeast. Having passed Aktash, you will need to turn north and drive another 13 km. The journey by car will take 5.5 hours. The route runs through the settlements:
- Manzherok;
- Cherga;
- Shebalino;
- Ongudai;
- Kupchegen;
- Inya;
- Aktash.
To the north-east of the lake, behind Balyktuyul, there is a state reserve. To the south is the Saylyugem National Park. The famous natural monument of the mountainous region, the Red Gate, rises 4 km away. The road there passes between steep cliffs that go into the sky, painted in crimson-pink tones.
You should not look for the Dead Lake on the world map - in reference books and atlases, the reservoir is indicated only under its official names. Cheybekkel is a picturesque corner of the Altai Mountains, attracting travelers not only with secrets, but also with fascinating landscapes and the beauty of nature untouched by man.