Date: 10/03/2012

Number: 400

Seen on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 426.5, at the Haywood Gap/Pass. The sign called it Haywood Pass saying it was at "The crest of the Balsams" at 5,000+ elevation. This is also where the Mountains-to-Sea hiking trail intersects with the Parkway.

Entered the BRP at the Balsam Gap on-ramp and ascended up and past the highest point on the Parkway. It was a seasonably warm day, and we saw more and more monarchs the farther up we went. At the Haywood Gap section — the land flattens out a bit, and the road skirts the edge — the butterflies were concetrated, streaming in overhead, touching down on the purple and yellow wildflowers at the overlook and continuing on in a southwesterly direction. They were everywhere! Some nectaring for a long time, others streaming over the canopy and down into the deep valley below. We couldn't anywhere without seeing a monarch.

We went a few miles beyond to Devil's Courthouse and there were no butterflies at all. They were all concentrated in that gap. And we went back this afternoon (nearing sunset), Oct. 4, and didn't see a single butterfly at the overlook!

Went with my 11yo daughter who loves butterflies. It was an amazing experience! Thanks so much for your informative site! We've learned a lot and I hope this info helps!

Waynesville, NC

Latitude: 35.3 Longitude: -83

Observed by: rachel
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