Scientists see Ominous Decline in Mexico's Monarch Butterflies

"MEXICO CITY —The amount of Monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico dropped 59 percent this year, falling to the lowest level since comparable record-keeping began 20 years ago, scientists reported Wednesday.

It was the third straight year of declines for the orange-and-black butterflies that migrate from the United States and Canada to spend the winter in mountaintop fir forests in central Mexico. Six of the last seven years have shown drops, and there are now only one-fifteenth as many butterflies as there were in 1997.

The decline now marks a statistical long-term trend and can no longer be seen as a combination of yearly or seasonal events, the experts said........

http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/13/17302569-scientists-see-ominous-decline-in-mexicos-monarch-butterflies?lite

I take it that you didn't go in February and are kicking yourself.

Ferret:

You are correct in your assumption. Two factors - not enough time to accomplish all that we wanted to do in Michoacan as it was and I am ashamed to say, I hadn't walked enough prior to our trip to be in shape to make the hike. We had reports from friends in Patzcuaro that this was the situation and that they had friends who were quite disappointed.

Considering your source of info, you chose correctly.
I can only hope that they make a miraculous recovery and that, one day, you will be able to experience them in their natural habitat.
A couple of years before we went, there was a prolonged cold snap and heavy snow which decimated the population. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

While factors don't look positive, sometimes nature has a way of rebounding. While I am certainly no scientist, it appears to me that the biggest factor is the decline of milkweed? I am hopeful that in future years when we have more time to spend vacationing in Mexico, the time and opportunity will present itself.