Monarch Butterfly Reserve – El Rosario
3/10/2009
In stark contrast to the hustle of Mexico City, we made our next stop the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Reserve. El Rosario is one of only a few public access points into the Butterfly Reserve and is hailed as the largest and most spectacular viewing spot. Over one hundred million monarch butterflies make the migration from as far away as eastern Canada to overwinter in the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains in central Mexico, approximately 150 kilometers west of Mexico City. The butterflies take residence in the pine and fir forests of this region from November through March. The migration cycle spans as far as two thousand miles (one-way) and four generations of butterflies. The typically breed twice during the summer months in the northern locations, once on the journey south, and once again on the journey back north. Interestingly, the migratory generations have significantly longer life spans than the intermediaries, which only live four to six weeks. The migrants live several months.
The El Rosario Sanctuary can be accessed by public transportation or private vehicle. We drove form the town on Ocampo, up the hill along a cobblestone road with brick pavers. There is a 30 peso toll to utilize this road and then a 35 peso entrance fee at the sanctuary. We hiked late in the afternoon, which was terrific because there were very few people, the heat of the day had subsided and the filtered sunlight through the trees created ideal viewing conditions. The hike though the sanctuary is steep, beginning with steps and paved walkways, eventually giving way to dirt trails.
Butterflies are present along the entirety of the walkway but the most abundant clusters were present in the fir trees at the higher elevations. The numbers were staggering and overwhelming – so great that the clear mountain air is literally filled with sound of fluttering wings. Their abundance defies description.
In stark contrast to the hustle of Mexico City, we made our next stop the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Reserve. El Rosario is one of only a few public access points into the Butterfly Reserve and is hailed as the largest and most spectacular viewing spot. Over one hundred million monarch butterflies make the migration from as far away as eastern Canada to overwinter in the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains in central Mexico, approximately 150 kilometers west of Mexico City. The butterflies take residence in the pine and fir forests of this region from November through March. The migration cycle spans as far as two thousand miles (one-way) and four generations of butterflies. The typically breed twice during the summer months in the northern locations, once on the journey south, and once again on the journey back north. Interestingly, the migratory generations have significantly longer life spans than the intermediaries, which only live four to six weeks. The migrants live several months.
The El Rosario Sanctuary can be accessed by public transportation or private vehicle. We drove form the town on Ocampo, up the hill along a cobblestone road with brick pavers. There is a 30 peso toll to utilize this road and then a 35 peso entrance fee at the sanctuary. We hiked late in the afternoon, which was terrific because there were very few people, the heat of the day had subsided and the filtered sunlight through the trees created ideal viewing conditions. The hike though the sanctuary is steep, beginning with steps and paved walkways, eventually giving way to dirt trails.
Butterflies are present along the entirety of the walkway but the most abundant clusters were present in the fir trees at the higher elevations. The numbers were staggering and overwhelming – so great that the clear mountain air is literally filled with sound of fluttering wings. Their abundance defies description.
Awesome!
Thank You both so much for sharing your journey. Sure is fun 'following' you gals.
Thank You Again
j
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