Siberia—On the Lake Baikal Trail

Siberia—On the Lake Baikal Trail

For the last five years I’ve been going to Siberia at the invitation of the Great Baikal Trail Association to assist volunteer crews constructing a network of pathways that may someday encircle one of the world's largest and most beautiful lakes. Here’s my photo essay of one of my many journeys there.

Doorway to Adventure

Doorway to Adventure

Shopping district of Irkutsk, the largest city near Lake Baikal

Shopping district of Irkutsk, the largest city near Lake Baikal

Epiphany Cathedral – Russian Orthodox Church – Irkutsk

Epiphany Cathedral – Russian Orthodox Church – Irkutsk

Lake Baikal. Four hundred miles long, a mile deep, 30 million years old, 20% of the world’s fresh water.

Lake Baikal. Four hundred miles long, a mile deep, 30 million years old, 20% of the world’s fresh water.

Tomato vending Russian babushka.

Tomato vending Russian babushka.

The Sayan Mountain Range separates Mongolia from the southern shores of Lake Baikal.

The Sayan Mountain Range separates Mongolia from the southern shores of Lake Baikal.

Modes of transport traditional and modern use the Siberian roads.

Modes of transport traditional and modern use the Siberian roads.

. Siberian farmers bringing in a harvest of hay.

. Siberian farmers bringing in a harvest of hay.

The beginning of the firewood supply for upcoming winter warmth.

The beginning of the firewood supply for upcoming winter warmth.

Volunteers of the Great Baikal Trail Association construct a new route near the village of Arshan.

Volunteers of the Great Baikal Trail Association construct a new route near the village of Arshan.

Buddhist prayer flags fly in a forest near Arshan.

Buddhist prayer flags fly in a forest near Arshan.

Footbridge over the Kyngyrga River.

Footbridge over the Kyngyrga River.

Trail work with Siberian colleagues Natasha Lushkova and Roma Chubakov.

Trail work with Siberian colleagues Natasha Lushkova and Roma Chubakov.

Svetlana Shokanova, a wonderful friend with roots in both Siberia and Seattle.

Svetlana Shokanova, a wonderful friend with roots in both Siberia and Seattle.

Hiking the Great Baikal Trail north of Listvyanka.

Hiking the Great Baikal Trail north of Listvyanka.

Camping on the shores of Lake Baikal.

Camping on the shores of Lake Baikal.

Cooking stew over an open fire – Siberian style.

Cooking stew over an open fire – Siberian style.

The eastern shore of Lake Baikal with the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula in the background.

The eastern shore of Lake Baikal with the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula in the background.

Roma Chubakov leading the way.

Roma Chubakov leading the way.

Michail Mangaskin and Anya Belova, volunteers with the Great Baikal Trail Association.

Michail Mangaskin and Anya Belova, volunteers with the Great Baikal Trail Association.

Dog along the trail. I’d say a husky. A Siberian husky. But that’s just a guess.

Dog along the trail. I’d say a husky. A Siberian husky. But that’s just a guess.

Siberian moon.

On the shores of Lake Baikal.

On the shores of Lake Baikal.

Robert Birkby