A wooden trail led into the reserve from just to the right of the visitor's center. The path was gently ramped without stairs and led all the way to the Monarch Butterfly viewing area. Bicycles were prohibited, but strollers and wheel chairs could easily descend.

The sign read:

Monarch Resting Area

      Starting early in October, the Monarch Butterfly
(Danaus plexippus) arrives in this area on its yearly
migration from the colder Northern nesting grounds.
It gathers in clusters in Eucalyptus trees from which it
flies in search of food on days when the temperature
is above 55 degrees [Fahrenheit]. At temperatures below this a
dislodged Monarch may fall victim to insects or field
mice, since it cannot fly.

      The monarchs may remain here until March
when the warmer days trigger a Northeasterly
return migration.

The platform at the end of the wooden trail lay under a canopy of tall Eucalyptus trees. This visit was in late March so 99% of the butterflies had already migrated away.

Beyond the platform was a large piece of hardware for an unspecified use. A sign marked the area as closed.

Sign read:

Area Closed
To protect natural features
And insure public safety
Do not Enter

The railing around the viewing platform showed signs of gradual erosion by carved messages. Here was just one of several love notes found that day. "Joe ♥ Tracie"

Just before the last turn in the wooden trail was a T in the path. Turn left at the T to arrive at the viewing platform. Turn right at the T to arrive at a small lake and the start of the unimproved remaining portion of the Monarch Butterfly Trail.

The lake at the start of the unimproved Monarch Butterfly Trail had a Mallard duck resting on a log. The lake area was remarkably quiet and other birds could be heard but were not seen that morning.

Looking back from the lake toward the platform, the unimproved nature of this trail could be seen. Note that this was the easy part of the trail. Later one would need to clamber up over rocks.

Behind, when looking at the lake was the continuation of the trail. Up over layered rocks and around a tree and its roots then through mud. The trail became steep for a couple dozen paces.

The trail was lined with tiny yellow Fritillaria Pudica flowers. Almost as if the trail was bordered by tiny yellow bells.

Having mastered the climb up from the lake, this was the view looking back at it. Notice the profusion of tiny bell shaped flowers.

Perhaps because of the heavy rains of the week before, a huge branch had broken off a Eucalyptus tree and fallen almost blocking the trail. Beyond it, down and to the left was the viewing platform.

Several small birds were flying from bush to bush in a clearing next to the path.

Despite our being there during the week, the clearing was very quiet that morning. Housing beyond the clearing emitted no noise, so it was possible to easily hear the insects and birds.

Every once in a while, we passed a numbered post beside the trail. Here was the number 5. The numbers did not denote distance because at one point we found two numbers a few feet apart in sequence. They did not mark sights, because there was nothing different in the areas surrounding the numbers that we saw. They did not mark forks or side trails because only two of the numbers were near such other trails. They were not documented in the brochure, so remained a mystery.

A few dead trees lined the trail as it neared the road. Note the presence of parked trucks beyond the trail's end. We heard woodpeckers but saw none.

A lone Monarch Butterfly was seen near the trail's end. Perhaps three or four others had fluttered by during the walk, but this was the only one that landed within camera viewing distance.

Trees grow wild in the forest. Unlike trees in civilization, forest trees are not pruned. As a consequence, the canopy overhead has a much wilder and untamed look then similar overhead looks within cities.

Just past post number six was a bridge over a small creek. This was not Moore Creek which entered the preserve much further along the trail. This side creek was a mere trickle.

Just past the bridge and a little uphill was a Eucalyptus tree with initials and hearts carved into it. If it had only been just these few initials the damage might later heal, but this tree was filled from ground to head height with such carved initials. The tree appeared to be located at the natural loitering point in the trail were youth became bored.

The Monarch Butterfly Trail ended at the northern entry to the park. This is where municipal buses stop. This is also where the Moore Creek Trail began. The paved area down the center and behind the camera provided bicycle access to the park.