By Melanie Michaelchuk
In the second week of January 2026, I experienced something that had lived quietly on my bucket list for years: walking among monarch butterflies in their overwintering home in the mountains of central Mexico.
This was not a quick tourist stop or a roadside viewpoint. Our visit was intentional and rooted in conservation. Our small group hired a local guide who led us to Nevado de Toluca Flora and Fauna Protection Area, a monarch sanctuary in the mountains of Michoacán, near Morelia.
The Journey In
Reaching the monarchs required commitment. The hike was approximately eight miles round-trip, four miles steadily uphill through pine and fir forests, followed by the same route back down. The altitude and terrain demanded patience, steady pacing, and presence.
It felt fitting that the journey itself required effort, echoing the long migration monarchs make each year from across North America to this very place.
Before entering the sanctuary, our guide asked us to pause and eat any snacks outside the protected area. Once inside, no food would be consumed. It was a small but meaningful reminder that even crumbs, wrappers, or distractions can affect a delicate habitat. After that pause, we entered an open meadow where we caught our first glimpses of monarchs drifting through the air.
Entering the Forest
As we moved from the meadow into the forest, our guide set clear expectations: walk slowly, remain quiet.
The silence was not restrictive, it was reverent.
Without conversation, the forest revealed itself more fully. We could hear wings fluttering softly, the wind moving through branches, and the subtle sound of thousands of living beings sharing the same space. The monarchs clustered in great numbers along the branches of oyamel fir trees, their wings folding and unfolding as sunlight filtered through the canopy.
Because this was private land, we were the only ones there. There were no crowds, no lines, and no pressure to move along. We spent nearly two hours quietly observing, standing, watching, breathing, and letting the experience unfold at its own pace.
The only reason we eventually left was practical: the afternoon light was fading, and we still had a four-mile hike back down the mountain. Even then, our departure felt unhurried and respectful.
Lessons in Stewardship
Along the way, our guide shared insights about the monarch migration and the importance of protecting this fragile ecosystem. One lesson stood out deeply: we were asked not to remove fallen monarch wings from the forest floor.
Visitors may feel tempted to collect them as keepsakes, but local understanding emphasizes leaving everything exactly as it is. Even what appears small or already lost still belongs to the forest.
Our guide was not just leading a hike, she was teaching us how to slow down, observe, and coexist respectfully. She modeled what it means to be a guest in a living system rather than a consumer of it.
A Humbling Experience
Visiting the monarch's overwintering grounds was more than a hike or a wildlife encounter. It was a lesson in humility.
It reminded me that conservation is not only about protecting places, it is about protecting ways of being. Moving slowly. Listening more than speaking. Leaving no trace. Understanding that presence alone can be enough.
In a world that often asks us to rush, document, and collect, the monarchs asked something different.
They asked us to notice and then leave things exactly as we found them.
About the Author
Melanie Michaelchuk is a hiker, wellness coach, and founder of Just Hyke, a nature-based wellness brand dedicated to mindful movement, outdoor stewardship, and reconnecting people with the natural world. She leads nature walks, retreats, and educational experiences that blend conservation, nervous-system regulation, and respect for place.
Melanie is the author of Sidewalk to Summit, a reflective guide on finding strength, stillness, and resilience through movement and time outdoors. The book is available on Amazon.
To connect, collaborate, or learn more, visit justhyke.com or email info@justhyke.com
