Blue lakes askat how to get there. Blue Lakes. Along the mountain path
Territories with a unique aura are generously scattered throughout the Altai Mountains, but there are areas where the concentration of Places of Power is simply incredible. And Chemal is a prime example of this.
A large village lies on the banks of the Katun at the very beginning of its downstream. Chemal epigenetic valley: this is what scientists call this area. An amazing, unique, formed out of connection with geological laws, as if a geographical structure superimposed on the earth's surface. The focus of times and forces: ancient Altai beliefs, Orthodox shrines, natural energy, cosmic energies. A pole of attraction for people seeking harmony in the world around them and in their own souls.
natural spa
Since the middle of the 19th century, Chemal has been known as resort area. Whole families come here from all over the world; vacationers breathe mountain air, drink koumiss, walk around the most beautiful surroundings. In Soviet times, the country's first tuberculosis sanatorium was established here.
Chemal belongs to the low-mountain resorts, the main remedy is the climate: plenty of sun, mild winters, moderately hot summers. The relative humidity in this area is the same as in Yalta or Anapa, and sunny days there are even more than in the Crimea. And how fragrant and pure the healing air of the pine forest is! Today, the surroundings of the village have the official status of the Chemal medical and health-improving area.
The name "Chemal" is interpreted in different ways; the most common translation option is “anthill”. When centuries ago on a wide open space, where the village stands today, herds of livestock grazed, from the tops of the surrounding mountains they seemed to be a scattering of moving points, like ants near their forest home.
Thrice sacred island
In the channel of the Katun near Chemal, blocking off a calm backwater from the main stream, there is a rock of outstanding beauty, overgrown with pines. This is the island of Patmos, the Altai "namesake" of the famous Greek Patmos. On it, a small church is gilded with selected wood of a log house, miraculously placed on a rocky crown - the church of St. John the Evangelist, probably the most unusual and famous in Altai; a narrow path leads to the island suspension bridge. Opposite, on the root bank, the female St. John the Theologian Skete of the Barnaul Znamensky Monastery was built.
The temple has an interesting fate, like the island itself, not accidentally named by a biblical name. In 1855, the rock-island on the Katun, as a good place for prayer and meditation, was consecrated by Bishop Parthenius. Exactly 60 years later, on August 9, 1915, Bishop Innokenty of Biysk consecrated the Church of St. John the Theologian moved here from the shore. Burnt down during the years of Soviet power, the temple was recreated in its original form and re-consecrated in 2001. Now thrice consecrated Patmos-on-Katun attracts pilgrims from all over Russia.
The temple has both old and new icons. Miracles here have become almost commonplace: the icon of the Mother of God, secretly preserved in Soviet times and transferred to the temple, turned into a black board with a barely visible image, self-renewed without the touch of restorers when it was placed in the chapel. And it continued to be updated in subsequent years, showing the divine beautiful face more and more brightly. Another icon suddenly began to stream myrrh. And after a small landslide that changed part of the rock, the nun Felothea suddenly saw in the stone ledge the image of the Virgin with a baby in her arms; all that remained to be done was to release the magical image from the stone. The amazing sculpture, which is integral with the mass of the island, is perfectly visible from the shore and shocks all the guests of Patmos. Young people are attracted by the icon-painting image of the warrior-martyr Yevgeny, a young man who died in Chechnya. All the photo albums dedicated to the Altai Mountains were covered by a fresco icon in the hollow of a stone boulder at the entrance to the church.
The history of the temple is inextricably linked with the name of the Moscow photographer V.N. Pavlova. Having visited Chemal, Viktor Nikolaevich became interested in the ruined island church and got excited about the idea of its restoration. He moved to Altai, having sold his Moscow apartment and photo studio, and in a few years he literally recreated a spiritual relic. And after the completion of construction and consecration, he donated the temple to the Orthodox Barnaul and Altai diocese. Then Pavlov worked for many years as a housekeeper at the skete, taught at Sunday school, and in 2011 was buried here, in Chemal, near the chapel of St. Macarius.
The Church of St. John the Theologian is open for free visits at any time of the year. The deep, pure, truly heavenly aura of this place gently touches the heart, leaving an indelible mark on it.
From the St. John the Theologian Skete, the famous “goat path” begins to the former Chemal hydroelectric power station - about 700 m of a rocky path trampled down by thousands of feet, laid along a steep bank high above the Katun. At one time, only grazing goats made their way here, and now many tourists pass by, admiring the stunning scenery. The path is reinforced from the side of the cliff, steps are arranged on especially steep sections; Both children and older people can easily walk along the trail, of course, with some caution.
At the very beginning of the trail opens great view on the Katun gorge, called the Gates of Sartakpai, the most famous hero of the Altai folklore. According to one of the legends, Sartakpai broke through the mountains with his arrow and freed the path of Katun, who fled to her beloved; according to another, he pushed apart the stone masses when he freed those locked in mountain ranges waters of Altai; according to the third, he tried to build a bridge over the wayward river at its narrowest point, but failed. When the flood subsides, under the cliff there are views of water-smoothed stones with bizarre-shaped recesses; The old Altaians claim that these are traces of the feet of Sartakpai, and the randomly thrown stones in the channel are the remains of a bridge destroyed by raging water.
Near the Gates of Sartakpai, a mountain of almost regular pyramidal shape rises. This is the Pyramid of Sartakpaya; the mountain has a special energy and spreads it around itself over a long distance. The legend says that it is under the mountain-pyramid that the ashes of the legendary hero rest. Cozy secluded mini-coves on the banks of the Katun opposite the Gates and the Pyramid are ideal platforms for meditation.
Energy emanations are clearly felt almost along the entire length of the “goat path”: the path passes along the slope of Mount Beshpek, which has long had the status of a place of power - this is evidenced by the ancient sanctuaries and cult objects discovered here. Surprisingly, there are very few people on the top, located almost in the center of a large village through which a huge tourist flow passes! Probably not everyone admits Beshpek, sacred place worship of higher powers.
Another breathtaking view from the trail is the confluence of its tributary, the Chemal River, into the Katun. The transparent waters of Chemal, which seem black from a height, meet with the light malachite Katun current and stretch for a long time in a clearly distinguishable strip.
Water living and dead
... The path descends like a stone stream into the valley of the Chemal River, to the territory of the Chemal hydroelectric power station. Hydroelectric power plant - the most curious historical object, the first hydroelectric power station in Altai and Siberia, built in 1931-35. Initially, the power plant consisted of two horizontal turbines with a belt drive to generators with a capacity of 235 and 225 kW, which gave 750 rpm each. For that time it was amazing power!
But here's the problem: human technogenic interference has clearly gone against the natural harmony of these places. It is unlikely that there will be another hydroelectric power station in Russia with such a dramatic fate; during its existence, the dam was nearly blown away by catastrophic floods four times (!) The first time this happened in 1934, even during construction, and it was only through heroic efforts that the hydroelectric power station was defended. In 1959, a spring flood washed away almost the entire left bank; in 1969, water completely flooded the engine room and turbines. In 2011, as a result of an accident, the engine room again failed, after which the station was mothballed, the reservoir was lowered, and the Chemal HPP finally turned into tourist area, a mix of a technical-historical monument and an amusement park. The final chord was the flood in 2014, when the raging Chemal River washed away the bridge and brought it to the dam. The water that year rose to an incredible height, almost blocking the windows of the station building. Now the dam is operating in a free discharge mode, allowing you to admire a never-boring spectacle without interference: white foam jets of falling water.
Everything is transient, nature is eternal. The energy of the valley remained the same, strong and bright. During the flood of 1969, on the left bank of the Chemal, where a nice suspension bridge is now thrown, two springs with “living” and “dead” water were exposed: one, rich in silver, flows down in transparent streams over black stones, the other, saturated with iron, leaves around itself red bloom. As in a fairy tale - to drink living and dead water in order to gain eternal youth ....
Mount Camel with two peaks rises near Chemal - another powerful Place of Power. 15 km upstream of the Katun, in a narrow gorge, the Chech-Kysh sanctuary is hidden, where the rites of a generation of shamans were held. A few tens of kilometers from Chemal in the Iolgo mountain range lie the sacred Karakol lakes, the sacred lake Manas is hidden. And all the invisible threads, all the subtle currents, all the streams of the Force are pulled together and crossed over the Chemal valley.
Blue Lakes Katun
20 km from Chemal, near the village of Askat, there are Blue Lakes in the bed of the Katun River - a real miracle of nature and a Place of Power. They exist only from autumn to mid-spring, when the water in the Katun is low and a small branch branching off from the main channel dries up. The lakes got their name from the color the clearest water: geyser, it is also malachite, it is also blue, it is also emerald, it is also secret, small, cozy, taiga, with a daily-changing bottom pattern. Non-freezing, lively, sometimes bubbling, sometimes calmly breathing. Yes, he draws a lake, draws a new pattern on the bottom every day. The lake speaks and answers. Everyone is accepted in their own way. It is difficult to leave him, so it used to speak, you will listen. Draws a lot...
A unique contrast with fiery autumn foliage or snow-covered pines along the banks. Magic picture!
At the bottom of reservoirs 4-8 m deep, there are numerous strong springs; no, not warm, cold! But they give so much water that it simply does not have time to freeze, and even in December-January the temperature is maintained at + 3-5 ° C: it is quite possible not only to wash, but also to swim with some preparation. An incredible feeling: pure soft water washes away all negativity, restores vigor and peace of mind.
For more than a century, hundreds of people have been making a pilgrimage to the blue lakes with non-freezing water. There is a well-founded version that under the lakes and the Askat Valley there is an underground artesian reservoir that receives cosmic radiation and transmits it to the surface, accumulating it into pure creative energy. Indeed, the village of Askat is simply the center of talented individuals: artists, sculptors, potters, stone, leather, and bead craftsmen. Many villagers, both indigenous and settlers, have developed psychic abilities. And it's not for nothing that it works here. Buddhist center Diamond Way of the Karma Kagyu tradition, designed for spiritual practices.
A trip to Chemal and the Blue Lakes is a touch on a very special sacred atmosphere that exists only in the Altai Mountains.
Blue Lakes is one of the natural wonders Altai - deep reservoirs with crystal clean water nice turquoise color. Among local population another name for the lakes is common - “Eyes of the Katun”. Katun is a river in Altai, on the left bank of which there are lakes, five kilometers from the village of Askat.
A visit to the lakes should be planned in advance, as you will not be able to find them at any time of the year. In summer, the Eyes of the Katun are hidden under the water of the Katun. picturesque lakes begin to appear in late August - early September.
In total, the composition blue lakes includes two or three reservoirs, depending on the water level in the river. Max Depth lakes in the days of high water reaches 16 meters! In some parts of the lake, you can clearly see the bottom, 3-4 meters away from the surface of the water, which makes a very strong impression.
Visiting Altai in autumn or winter, you will get a unique opportunity to enjoy a harmonious landscape that combines mountain ranges, evergreen pine forests and magical water. lovers thrill can swim in one of the lakes, and daredevils can even dive from a two-meter cliff! Powerful springs do not allow lakes to freeze even in hard frost, and the water temperature rarely drops below 9 degrees.
As for magical water, many locals believe in it. medicinal properties. According to the Altaians, the water of the Blue Lakes can heal a person from ophthalmic diseases, restore immunity and provide a surge of vigor for several weeks. If you swim in the river after visiting one of the baths on the shore, then such contrast prophylaxis will energize you and protect you from colds and other unpleasant diseases.
Information for travelers:
You can go to conquer the lakes of Altai for several reasons: in search of inspiration, to take a dozen successful photos, to admire amazing landscapes, swim in invigorating healing water or just for an interesting pastime on a day off.
How to get there:
Transport links with the village of Askat are quite well established. You can get there by bus from Biysk, Gorno-Altaisk or Belokurikha.
If you are traveling by car, then the route will run along the Chuisky tract, then through the village of Askat along the Katun River. Then the road turns into a field, and you will drive to the lake surrounded by tall pines and rocky mountains. The descent to the lake along the trail will not take much time. In severe frost, you can walk to the lakes on a frozen river from the Berel camp site.
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The road to the Blue Lakes, through the village of Askat and the Askat valley
Blue Lakes ("Eyes of the Katun")
The Blue Lakes are located in the Chemalsky district of the Republic of Altai on the left bank of the Katun near the village of Uznezya, whose name in Altai means "spirit of water".
The lakes were formed about 25 thousand years ago. Until that time, as scientists believe, on the territory Altai mountains the Kurai Sea was located, occupying an area measuring 170 by 100 kilometers. As a result of seismic activity and movements of the earth's crust, a natural dam ancient sea was destroyed. Huge volumes of water, flowing into the valley, carried with them stones, which, bumping into more solid bottom formations, rotated with water in one place, knocking out deep holes. Thus, these three so-called water-beaten lakes were formed.
Now the Blue Lakes are small, but enough deep lakes, up to 17 meters deep and with total area about 400 square meters. Blue lakes "manifest" only in autumn and winter, when the water level in the Katun decreases, the rest of the time they are closed by the waters of the Katun, becoming part of its channel. Therefore, excursions to the Blue Lakes begin around the end of August, and end with the onset of the spring thaw.
The lakes, like the waters of the Katun, have an amazing turquoise color. However, unlike the murky river water, the water in the lakes is crystal clear, through it in good weather you can see the rocky bottom. It is also surprising that even in winter the lakes do not freeze, the water temperature in them does not fall below +9°C. Reasons for this natural phenomenon have not yet been studied, which gives rise to a variety of rumors and legends.
Pilgrimage to the Blue Lakes has a long history. Since the middle of the 19th century, the first Christian missionaries considered these lakes to be holy for their unusual properties, and on Epiphany they performed the rite of baptism in this natural font. At present, these almost forgotten traditions have been revived, and every year the Blue Lakes host christenings. a large number of wanting to take a dip in their crystal clear bright blue water.
You can get to the Blue Lakes on your own through the village of Askat. In winter, you can go to the lakes on the left bank of the Katun on ice. But it is still better to use the services of conductors from local residents or tour guides of camp sites. They do not organize transportation, but they will interesting excursion about this unusual place.
IN Lately amateurs winter holiday interest in the lakes has increased significantly. Indeed, in addition to swimming, diving also appeared - scuba diving.
They return to the blue "Eyes of the Katun" again and again, knowing their magical attraction of beauty, freshness and heavenly purity. And every time they discover something new and amazing.
The real miracle of Altai is the Blue Lakes or “Eyes of the Katun”, which are located in the Chemalsky district, on the left bank of the Katun River, not far from the village of Uznezya, which sounds from Altai to Russian as “the spirit of water”. They were formed at a time when there was the Kurai Sea on the site of the Altai Mountains, which occupied an area equal to 180 by 110 kilometers. At that time, movements of the earth's crust took place, which destroyed the natural dam and turbulent volumes of water, accelerating huge blocks into the valley, which knocked out three deep depressions in this place.
What are the blue eyes of Katun?
Today, "Eyes of the Katun", these are two or three beautiful lakes. Why is their exact number not known, you ask? Yes, because how many of them will appear will depend on the water level in the Katun River. 
They appear mainly closer to autumn and remain as lakes all winter. With the beginning of spring, they are filled with melt water and merge with the waters of the Katun River, turn into a sleeve and wash one of the many islands. Their total maximum area is about 400 m². The depth reaches 18 meters.
IN winter time the Katun River, like almost all rivers in Altai, freezes. And the “Eyes of Katun” remain lakes, because due to warm springs, the water temperature in them is maintained at around + 10 ° C. The lakes shimmer with amazing turquoise color. And through them crystal clear waters see even the bottom. We advise you to visit this place if you are rest in Altai.
Timing for excursions
The blue lakes of the Katun open their way only in autumn and winter, at which time half of the channel of the Katun river dries up, thus opening the way for tourists. The start of excursions to them begins approximately by the end of August. And last until the end of March, while the ice is on mountain rivers didn't start melting. For an excursion to the Blue Lakes Eyes of the Katun, a sunny fine day is best suited to enjoy their stunning transparency and blue water.
How to get to these lakes?
You can take a walk to the Blue Lakes on your own. After the village of Ust-Sema, after driving about 12 km, turn right to the river to the Kara-Suu parking lot. There is parking available at that location. Or, on a longer path, after passing the village of Askat further along the Katun River, move off-road, along the field for about 7 km, after which between the mountains and the forest along the knurled road. At the descent to the lakes themselves you will find a small signboard and you will definitely not get lost.
Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth of Life itself. The sun is already shining differently, the birds are not just singing, they are proclaiming. The plants were enveloped in a special spring gray haze. Everything suggests that she - Spring is very - very close. All this excites and calls us people. Out of town! And so, by the way, there was a 3-day holiday on March 8th! On Mountain Altai! To the Blue Lakes of the Katun!
In the spring, there are not so many places that can be reached in the accessibility zone - water is already squelching under the snow. One of such places in the Altai Mountains is the Blue Lakes of Katun.
The road to the Blue Lakes lies through the village of Askat and the Askat valley - a natural monument of the Altai Mountains. 
Askat is a village of craftsmen, and you need to talk about it separately. 
We pass Askat, we are surprised by the river - a small stream in summer, which turned half of the village into a huge ice rink in winter.
The Askat Valley lies between the mountains, as if in the hands of God - surprisingly quiet, sunny and calm.
You feel protected, as if you are in the Temple. 
The way on foot is 2 hours, sometimes the road goes to the bank of the Katun, still covered with ice. 
Although deep cracks have already cut through the ice off the coast, 
and in the middle of the river glitters, shimmering with turquoise, water breaking out from under the ice.
Then the forest begins. 
There is no more snow under the trees, last year's grass 
and green moss. 
Amazing Altai horses, which, like deer, can get food from under the snow. 
A very steep descent to the river, 
further along the Katun channel to the Blue Lakes. 
The place is very beautiful, the lakes are fed by underground springs and do not freeze all year round, the water temperature in winter is about +9 degrees. An amazing turquoise color takes on a special depth and intensifies against the background of white snow.
This place is called Blue eyes Katun. According to legend, Katun looks at the world only in autumn and winter, Khan Altai decided so to protect his daughter's eyes from the bright summer sun. In spring and summer, the water in the river, firstly, rises, and secondly, it becomes muddy and the lakes are practically invisible.
It was believed that the water of the Blue Lakes helps with eye diseases.
Very a nice place, unique monument nature. Washed, sat on the shore, admired amazing beauty turquoise eyes of the river - beauties ...
But the question remains. No, people did not interfere with us, but there were a lot of them - somewhere in Thailand in such a place there would be even more of them. But was it necessary to make a bathhouse on the shores of the Blue Lakes? Do I need to go there to fry kebabs, cook soup? What do we want by jumping into the holy bowl of the lake? Health?
Once stopping at a spring to draw water, we met local residents - a family of Altaians - they drank, washed themselves (it was more like washing, not washing), washed the children, drew some water ... All with great respect, which simply could not be notice...
