THE THREE BIRCHES – THE TEKELYU WATERFALL

There is a river howling somewhere lower but it can’t be seen through the thick cedar and juniper forest. At about 5 PM our path descends to the river and from now on we have to walk at times by its old bed that has been drawn springtime. Sometimes it’s not enough to only look under our feet not to slide but we have to also be careful about what’s above us: there is an about hundred meters high wall with huge stones hanging over it. And all of a sudden we see it! By that moment, there are almost no clouds, so we can clearly see the beautiful snowy top of Belukha. 

At 7 PM we are looking for a place to stay and find one next to the river, with the view of Belukha. What else do we need? After all, so many visitors are coming here with religious, mystical or research aims just to get to see it. Belukha is the sacred mountain of locals, the legend tells it to be the dwelling of the Turk Goddess Umay. Also the mystical place Belovodye (the White Waters) is allegedly located here, around Belukha. Belovodye certainly comes from the imagination of the travelers that is inspired by the breathtaking scenery: dark cedar forests, vaguely seen proud mountain tops, loud voice of the river echoing in the valley and most of all the great fog that seems to be hiding something more than even this.