Siilhem Mountains (Russian: Сайлюгем, Russian: Sajljugem; Mongolian: Сийлхэмийн нуруу, Mongolian: Sîlhemîn nurû), or Sailughem, is a mountain range in the southeastern part of Altai Mountains, Russia, on the border of Altai Republic and Mongolia.[1]
In Russia, its northern slopes are in the Kosh-Agachsky District, in the southeastern part of the Ukok Plateau.[2] It is the southern border of the Chuya Steppe.[3] The range stretches 130 km north-east from 49° N and 86° E towards the western extremity of the Sayan Mountains in 51° 60′ N (sic) and 89° E. Their mean elevation is 1,500 to 1,750 metres (5000 to 5500 feet). The snow-line runs at 2,000 m on the northern side and at 2,400 m on the southern, and above it the rugged peaks tower up some 975 metres (3200 feet) more. It is a watershed between the sources of rivers Argut and Chuya (Ob River basin) and the rivers of the Khovd River basin.[1]
The highest peaks are Сары-Нохойт (3502 m.) and Саржематы (3499 m.).[2]
In the Mongolian part, on the Southern slopes there is Сийлхэмийн National Park.[3] In Russia, there is Saylyugemsky National Park, bordering with the Mongolian one, within the Kosh-Agach District. It is a protected area of Russia and has three zones: «Сайлюгем», «Уландрык» и «Аргут».[4] [5]