Satopanth Lake Trek, A visual journey

It was way back in 2013 when I went on my first trek and realised that it was intensely therapeutic. So the question is why does one trek, I mean why would one wish to indulge in multi-day treks. Will talk on this in the succeeding paragraphs. For now let me delve down in memory lane to reminisce and pen this post on a Satopanth Lake Trek, The Lake of Truth – A visual Journey This is a photo story format post.

So lets me show the readers the first visual of Lake Satopanth. It is nestled deep in the Trans Himalayan Region of Uttarakhand.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Satopanth Lake at 4600 Mts located in midst of snow capped saraswati range

Satopanth Lake Trek is of 6-7 days undertaken in the shadow of Mighty Mountain ranges from the holy town of Badrinath, Uttarakhand.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Trekker walks in the shadow of Mythological Vasundhara Falls( 122 mts) in the intial part of the trek

The Satopanth Lake trek follows a legendary route with tales of ancient mythology surrounding each waypoint

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Satopanth Lake Trek

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So let me revisit the query as to why do I trek ??

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Satopanth Lake Trek

The biggest take away for me was the feeling of an upliftment within. Every step away from the civilization made me shed away the coat of societal pressures, conflicts, indecision, emotional baggage, making me feel lighter and warmer from within. I trek solo with a support team fully conversant with the terrain which helps me to customise the trek as per my thoughts.

Satopanth Lake Trek, A visual Journey contd…..

So coming back to trekking to Lake Satopanth, the important way points are Laxmi Ban, Sahasradhara , Chakratheerth before finally reaching Satopanth Lake.


Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Lush gorgeous breathtaking fauna & flora find the Himalayan Range their ideal habitat

Afternoons were generally free as we used to reach the camp site after a trek time of around 06 hours. I used to spend time wandering in the vicinity of the camp site and valleys , camera in hand till dinner time was called.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Trekking destinations in Uttarakhand

I saw long extinct glaciers, raging rivers & immense stature of the Himalayan Mountains towering all around.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Seen here is the mighty Alaknanda, source stream of the Ganges. Mythology talks about her emerging from Lord Shiva Locks

Laxmiban is right opposite the Banglung Glacier which emerges from the opposite Himalayan peaks. One finds bhoj bhasa trees whose leaves were uses by Sage Vyasa to pen down the Ramayana.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Trekking destinations in Uttarakhand

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Satopanth Lake Trek, A visual Journey contd…..

Sahasradhara means a thousand falls. Region of an immense towering cliff shrouded in mist from which multitude of waterfalls come thundering down aweing the visitor

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Trekking destinations in Uttarakhand

Sahasradhara is also the visual point of depicting birth of Alaknanda river from the Satopanth glacier which broods massive to the right of the trekker. A sure death zone to anyone foolhardy to attempt to set his foot out among the shifting ever moving glacial system.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
The Satopanth Glacial system, the actual glacier is further up shrouded in mist. Perpetual in motion it is raw angry nature

The Satopanth Lake Trek is definitely strenuous if attempted in monsoons as the rain and weather team up at this altitude to overwhelm the trekker. However, this tenacity of the trek is what made me oblivious of the life that I had left behind to come and spend some days out here in obscurity.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Trekking destinations in Uttarakhand

Chakratheerth was a large circular region like a bowl surrounded by iconic peaks like Mt Satopanth (7075 Mts).

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Mount Chaukhamba up close & personal

The next day being a rest day saw me ranging far & wide in this magical remote land encountering no other soul. I let myself lower my mental barriers and chose to be in the present with no thought of anything else.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
The Parvati range as seen if one climbs up the Chakratheerth ridge
Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Mountain of crystals is what i saw in my wanderings in this region. A glacial system, in the making

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Eventually the day came when i would be finally reach Satopanth Lake skirting the mighty Swargarohini & Satopanth Glacial system.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
What lies ahead is the elusive swargarohini glacer while in the foreground one sees the Satopanth glacial system in its vastness
Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
One can see the ridge that marks the beginning of the region of the immense glacial systems bounded by high peaks

It is said that only who receive the call from the mountain spirit come wandering to this lake. I still remember the view of this elusive lake nestled in this surreal region in existence since time immemorial .

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Satopanth Lake Trek
Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
The clear still waters of the Lake fed from the adjoining glacier flowing down

Satopanth Lake Trek reinforced my belief that treks were a calling to me. An opportunity to shed all the baggage that I carried each day as a part of my existence. I realised that the landscapes that I found myself in during treks made my heart sing.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Trekking destinations in Uttarakhand

Everything which was relevant out there in my daily life was irrelevant out here. I was ME out among the mountains, part of the frame of nature. Hope the readers enjoyed this “Visual Journey on Trek to Lake of Truth – High Altitude Lake Satopanth”.

Trek to Lake of Truth - High Altitude Lake Satopanth
Solitrary trekker – Trekking destinations in Uttarakhand

Further interesting reads :-

Read here on the detailed post on Satopanth Lake Trek.

Why do i trek , i have penned my thoughts here.

My review of the Alps Mountaineering (Chaos II) tent which i own currently.

Do follow and connect with me on Instagram, look forward to that !!!!

For further visuals ranging from architecture to travel destinations, flora and fauna of India; so do click on below mentioned link.

https://www.traveldreamsbysumit.com/

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19 Replies to “Satopanth Lake Trek, A visual journey”

  1. There is something so very profound about getting away from it all and being close to nature. Your photos are absolutely stunning, especially the macro photos. I think a trek like this must be so satisfying to the soul.

  2. What a wonderful journey which made me feel I was there. Awesome Uttarakhand showcased beautifully through your pictures. I sometimes wonder why during my younger days I never went for trekking. I guess got too involved in my career. But then it’s never too late. Perhaps would try out short duration ones. The blue water of the lake looks just out of the world.

  3. All the pictures here are so descriptive that one may just get lost in their own imagination about the beauty and serenity of the place. As rightly said that this treks are definitely strenuous with unexpected weather conditions which are bound to happen. And for that one must adhere to all kinds of precautions while trekking. Again, your pictures did speak a thousand words here !!

  4. What a trek to have undertaken, it looks sensational. I felt I was travelling with you through your photographs. I think that a trek of this magnitude would be too strenuous for me but for those with a good level of stamina it must be incredible.

    1. hi , am glad that the post was appealing. The treks can be done as per the capability of each individual. One thing is never to rush into it , pace as per one’s speed and capability 🙂

  5. You really got away from it all! I believe it is good for the body and soul to step outside of the day to day and experience nature. Risky but fulfilling. Well done.

  6. How beautiful! The landscapes you saw on the trek are just stunning. I would love to do a similar hike myself throughout India – especially exploring the clear water at Lake Satopanth. Thanks so much for sharing tips on this wonderful place.

    1. hi , this trek is definitely worth doing especially if you combine it with a visit to the holy town of Badrinath out there

  7. First off, those pictures are amazing! It looks like it was definitely a great calling you got to do this trek. While I love to explore new areas, hiking has never really been something I’ve been good at. However, I would love to one day be able to do some of these explorations. I felt like I was right along with you during this trek, so thanks for taking me along!

    1. hi , am glad that the post appealed to you . I never hiked tilll one day i just picked it up and in that i discovered another great joy of travellling 🙂

  8. Satopanth Lake which is located at 4600 Mts and surrounded by snow capped on Saraswati range truly looks heavenly. Your first photo of it has won me over for this place. Your photos of flaura and fauna of Himachal is really wonderful and that makes me to plan for this place right now. Chakratheerth which is a large circular region like a bowl surrounded by iconic peaks like Mt Satopanth looks unique and wonderful.

    1. hi , i am glad that this post appealed to you . This is a bit of underrated trek owing to the tenacity of reaching. one more interesting fact is when you reach the lake , you see these small caves built and mendicants stay here for the entire duration that the place is open just before winter comes in. This sight truly moves one from within .

  9. OMG! This is breathtaking. The fauna and flora are just beautiful plus the sea of clouds is just a perfect way to capture nature’s magnificence. It would be a dream true to visit this wonderful place. Can’t wait to have another adventure and see Lake Satopanth up close.

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