Sanctuary in Mexico

[maggierose]

I will be visiting Mexico in January. I have been trying to find info on the net about the hike to see the butterflies at El Rosario Sanctuary. Does anyone know how strenous the hike is from the parking lot to the monarch sighting area and also how long does the hike take?

[Paul Cherubini]

I will be visiting Mexico in January. I have been trying to find info on the net about the hike to see the butterflies at El Rosario Sanctuary. Does anyone know how strenous the hike is from the parking lot to the monarch sighting area and also how long does the hike take?

Depends on specifically where the butterflies happen to be clustering this year Some years they cluster directly above the parking lot in an area called the "traditional area": http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k75/4af/el9005a.jpg To hike to the "traditional area" from the parking lot takes 30-45 minutes and involves about a 750 - 1,000 foot elevation gain up a stairway. If the weather is warm with low humidity, you may see hundreds of thousands of monarchs in flight seeking drinking water from the nearby moist agricultural clearings (dormant corn fields) http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k75/4af/mex.jpg
On the other hand, some years the butterflies cluster in an area called "Conejos" which involves a substantially longer and more strenuous hike of 1-2 hours with about a 1,250 foot elevation gain (from 9,500 feet to 10,750 feet). Some years the El Rosario colony is split into two groups of butterflies with some at the traditional area and some at Conejos.

[maggierose]

Wow! Great Pictures. Thank you for posting. Gives me an idea of what to expect. I guess there is no way to tell until we get there. How is the terrain for hiking. Is it rocky or is there a path? Is there a place to sit along the way. Sorry for all of the questions but I have neuroma on my feet and have to prepare in advance.

[Paul Cherubini]

How is the terrain for hiking. Is it rocky or is there a path? Is there a place to sit along the way. Sorry for all of the questions but I have neuroma on my feet and have to prepare in advance.

The "path" is a wide concrete stairway with plenty of benches to sit and rest along the way. There is 44% less oxygen in the air at 10,000 feet so the hike is much more tiring that at sea level.

If you find out the butterflies are clustering at the distant "Conejos" clustering area at El Rosario and you don't want to hike that long and far, an alternative is to drive to the nearby Chincua sanctuary and at the entrance you will see horses you can rent for a day (accompanied by a guide). Riding a horse is FAR less tiring than hiking.

Horses are also available at the Herrada and Pelon sanctuaries.
At Pelon the horse ride is long and steep and takes 2 hours, but at Herrada the ride takes only about 30 minutes.

[maggierose]

I didn't realize there were so many places for viewing. Which one is the best?

So El Rosario's "path" is mostly stairs to climb? I thought I read somewhere that you can rent walking sticks before you go on the path. Did you encounter this?

I would love to ride the horses but am not sure I can because I have trouble lifting my leg high enough to get on the horse. And I am sure they don't have a platform to be able to mount easier.

Now in Chincua, do you ride the horse all the way to the viewing area or do you have to dismount the horse and walk the rest of the way?

Thank you so much for all your help. This is really helpful.

I am going to have my doctor prescribe me a medicine for high altitude to help cope with the situation.

[monarchlady]

I visited there in 1998 - unless things have changed that much - We rented a local with a covered pick up truck to take us to the top of the mountain - four adults and a ten month old baby. From the parking lot, we walked - it seemed in a circle of about two miles through the forest. We also hired a local guide to take us through the forested area. There were millions of butterflies everywhere. On the ground. In the trees, in flight and many will land on you. It was an incredible experience - We were there in late February.

[maggierose]

I have returned from my trip. It was fantastic. Unfortunately the butterflies were way on the top of the mountain. I guess this is the conejo area. Despite my handicap, I got to the top. Of course, I walked up very very slowly and took very frequent rests as I was not in any hurry and finally made it. I was in pain but I am glad I did it. It was a sunny warm day and the butterflies were flying all around us. It was truly amazing.What an experience!

[Paul Cherubini]

Despite my handicap, I got to the top. It was a sunny warm day and the butterflies were flying all around us. It was truly amazing.What an experience!

I'm glad you made it.... it is a long, strenuous hike to get to the Conejos cluster area because of the steep climb at 10,500 feet. If you have any photos I'm sure everyone would love to see them (if you have the time to post them here or upload them to a free picture hosting site like Photobucket.com and then post the URL here for each .jpeg ).

[maggierose]

I have posted pictures and videos at

http://travel.webshots.com/album/557167669gBWHck

It is hard for pictures to show the density of the butterflies as they are all flying and the depth of field is shot. The videos probably show it better.

[Lindabird]

Maggierose:

Thank you for sharing your pictures. Wow, now I know if I was dying and had one last wish I know what it would be. I would give anything to be able to experience seeing all of those Monarchs in Mexico. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Linda

[Teresa]

HOW EXCITING! Thanks for posting your pics. Now i'll be the one to ask the questions. lol

Did you fly? I'm just really curious (if you don't mind my asking) about how much something like this cost. This is my dream trip and i'd probably better start saving now. LOL

[ohiomonarchmama]

I am thinking about going, too, in Feb of 2007 if I can arrange time off from work. I am just starting to check out the options. If anyone has "hot tips", please fill us in. I could only be gone a week and have never been to Mexico. My main purpose of the trip is to see the sanctuaries, but if there are any other "must see's" that are in the area, let me know. Also, can you rate your guide service and maybe hotels where you stayed...would like to know both good and bad. Personal recommendations from fellow travellers are usually the best! Thanks! OHmama