Date: 09/27/1998

Number: 1

During our annual fall trek to various locations in the Colorado Mountains to view the magnificent golden Quaking Aspen we were amazed to see a total of about 50 Monarchs. The largest group we saw were 5 butterflies above timber line (about 12,000 ft elevation at this location) on Mt. Evans. Above treeline is the zone called the alpine tundra. It is home to the same flora and fauna life zones one would find in the Arctic Circle. The road to the summit of 14,264 ft is the highest paved road in North America. The road usually closes in mid-Sept and opens Memorial Day weekend due to the 10 to 75 foot snow drifts. The wind blows constantly and the plants are tiny and hug the ground. Some do not reach the blooming and seed setting stage for ten years. Exposure to the sun is 40% greater than at sea level and there is only 2/5 the oxygen available at sea level. Even for us Coloradoans a hike is hard work! Seeing those tiny butterflies in this fragile, harsh environment was so amazing! They

Idaho Springs, CO

Latitude: 39.7 Longitude: -105.7

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