We stayed overnight in a small village named Macheros, located in the state of Mexico which has a population of 350 – 400 people and 100 horses. The entrance to Cerro Pelon is located within the village conveniently.
So waking up the next morning, we walked to the entrance gate. The trail guides had prepared the horses, we saddled up for an hour to hour and a half trail ride to observe the overwintering Monarch Butterflies.
The mountainous trail itself was very sandy, steep and narrow. The horses kicked up a lot of dust. Often the horses would get very close to edge of mountainside which caused me to hold my breath a few times. But the beauty of nature took over and the appearance of Monarch Butterflies changed everything!
The mountainous trail itself was very sandy, steep and narrow. Often the horses would get very close to edge of mountainside which caused you to hold your breath a few times. But the beauty of the mountainous trail and appearance of Monarch Butterflies took over for our nerves so we could enjoy the ride.
Map of Cero Pelon 
Cerro Pelon entrance 
Blanco…my spunky Horse 
Headed out on Trail 
Trail ride …dusty 
View from Trail
As we kept riding we reached a clearing and we saw thousands upon thousands of Monarch Butterflies enjoying the warm sunny day. What a magnificent site to observe so many Monarchs. We disembarked our horses, they took a rest while we explored the meadow.
CLose-up Monarchs 
Monarchs in clearing 
Monarchs flying 
Monarchs in clearing 
View of trees 
Monarchs flying
Then we took a hike into the forest to observe the Monarch Colony in the Oyamel trees deep in forest. Views along our hike below…
Cerro Pelon Hike 
Monarchs above 
Monarchs Mating 
Tree down 
Monarchs 
Sun peeking thru 
Silence near Colonies