Fall 2025 is the 10th anniversary of the Monrach Waystations of Black Mountain. Lets celebrate by watching the migration together. Nature is unpredictable and we don't know exactly when and where peak migration will be this year, but I am setting aside Friday mornings (next 2 on Oct 3rd and 10th) in hopes that we will catch a large migration event. In 2023, we had over 1000 monarchs visiting the meadow during late September and it was here on Oct 3, 2015 where I saw my first monarch migration event, which inspired the creation of the Black Mountain Monarch Waystations.
We will begin each Friday morning at the South Veterans Park Waystation (99 White Pine Drive) in Black Mountain. We will stay here and observe Monarchs if they are plentiful in the fields and meadows here at the park and tag them as part of the Monarch Watch citizen science program. After tagging at Veteratns Park, we will caravan to other known locations in the vicinity where they are known to gather, primarily sites on the Blue Ride Parkway listed above, though we may also stop at other waystation sites in Black Mountain/Swannanoa if we have tips that Monarchs are roosting there. I will also be following Journey North (
https://maps.journeynorth.org/maps) to know when and where to expect them.
Each morning will plan to begin at 9am (butterfly activity is weather dependent, so check here or text me for weather delays/changes). Around 10 am we will plan on leaving veterans park for other sites. If joining in the Recreation and Parks van or caravaning behind us in your own vehicle you can expect to travel up the parkway at least as far at MP415 at Cherry Cove Overlook and to be back down to Asheville/Black Mountain area by around 3 pm. Pack a snack/lunch or pick something up at the Mt. Pisgah store.
You are welcome to meet to observe them with us at Veterans Park that morning even if you aren't able to join on the Parkway. The mileposts we will visit are listed above, so seeing them on your own time is of course also an option.
My phone number is 828-545-6826 if you need it day of event for info
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Black Mountain.
