Job Discussion Forums

[Guy Courchesne]

I'm taking a group of teachers out to see the Michoacan butterflies this Sunday in a rental van. We have three seats left in the 12-passenger behemoth we're all splitting. If you want to come, PM me. Sunday, early departure.

[sickbag]

Hi

Just wondered if you made it up there and what you thought if you did.

We went a couple of weeks ago (to Sierra Cinchua) and it was really busy but well worth it. It was quite chilly, unfortunately, so the butterflies were rather reluctant to leave the warmth of their clusters. When the sun did come it was impressive - trees blanketed in orange. Let's just hope they�re around for future generations.

[Guy Courchesne]

No, blast it, there was a problem with the van rental last minute. Others went via other means, but I didn't. The gods have now twice conspired against me seeing the butterflies.

[Aabra]

I've been there twice now and had very different experiences. I went there once when I first visited Mexico like... 6 years ago? (I was only visiting Mexico for 2 weeks at the time.)

There were butterflies *everywhere*. They surrounded the car as we drove on the way up. Once we climbed up a bit you couldn't see the ground or the trees there were so many.

I went again 3 years ago.... however apparently there had been a very cold winter that year and so the number of butterflies had greatly diminished. We didn't see any butterflies at all during the drive up.... there weren't any at the base of the hill either. We had to climb up... and up... and up before we got to see any. It was still incredibly impressive. I just almost died from those stairs the second time. You're climbing them for at least 30 or 40 minutes. (I think.... I didn't exactly time it... but it felt like forever!)

Does anybody know if the numbers are back up to normal now? If the numbers are still low be prepared to suffer a lot on the way up. It's still well worth the trip though. I couldn't believe my eyes the first time.

[dixie]

I had the same experience as Sickbag a few weeks ago...guess about a month ago now. The butterflies were all cozy trying to keep warm. There were a few flying around...but not many.

I also went to Sierra Cinchua and glad I did...as we took the horses. I think I would have died if I would have had to walk the entire way. The daily dog walks just don't compare!

I'm thinking of maybe trying to get back there in March when the town is suppose to celebrate their departure. Thinking (hoping) there might be some after hours fun and more butterfly movement (although I suppose if they're flying off...there should be more movement! )

[jillford64]

I went to see the butterflies this weekend (March 4). It was warm enough that they were fluttering all around, mating, and gathering at the wet areas to drink. At one location, there were so many of them flying around that you could actually hear them. We went to the El Rosario sactuary which is the closest and most developed. It was pretty crowded, which was a distraction, but still worth the trip. I will try to post some pictures if I can figure out how.

[speedie]

When exactly do they leave? After that is it at all worth the trip out there or are they literally all gone? ... until next spring?

Dixie you said: I'm thinking of maybe trying to get back there in March when the town is suppose to celebrate their departure. Thinking (hoping) there might be some after hours fun and more butterfly movement (although I suppose if they're flying off...there should be more movement! )[/quote]