Rolando Village Catwalks

This is a 2.4-mile "bow tie" loop around part of the Rolando neighborhood of San Diego, including eight "catwalks", which are pedestrian passages from one street to the next.

We've done this hike before, most recently last October. It is a very popular hike. For a description and photographs, see www.meetup.com/sandiegodayhikers/events/303839533

One of the catwalks (Paseo de las Palmas), which was closed last year, has been reconstructed and recently reopened, so we can hike all eight.

Hikers who want a shorter hike can return after the fourth catwalk.

The catwalks now have Spanish names. However, some of the name plaques have been damaged or removed.

The total change in elevation is about 600 feet, and there are stairways in all but one catwalk, but the walk is much easier than the Mount Nebo Stairs hike that we've done before.

Here is some basic information about the catwalks, listed in the order in which we will hike them:

name length in miles number of steps direction of steps

• ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Paseo del Papagayo (parrot) 0.04 43 down
• Paseo de la Naranja (orange) 0.04 0
• Paseo del Colibrí (hummingbird) 0.05 7 up
• Paseo de los Agaves 0.02 37 down
• Paseo de los Coyotes 0.05 30 up
• Paseo de las Palmas 0.05 44 down
• Paseo de los Pinos (pine trees) 0.04 65 down
• Paseo del Halcón (hawk) 0.03 34 down

We'll meet at 9:30 AM in the parking lot for Rolando Park, a La Mesa city park at 6600 Vigo Dr., La Mesa, CA 91942 (N 32 45.444 W 117 3.165). The park has adequate rest rooms. At 9:45 AM we'll start the walk.

Then we'll cross the city limit into San Diego and stay in San Diego until we return to Rolando Park, probably a little more than an hour later.

Leashed dogs are allowed. Cats are allowed, too. I even met a woman walking her cat on one of the catwalks, but this is very unusual.

Wear good walking shoes and appropriate clothing. It should be warm, but not too hot to hike. Hiking shoes are not required because the hike is entirely on pavement. You don't have to take water unless it's really hot. Sun protection is recommended because the sidewalks and catwalks are only partly shaded. Take a camera if you wish.

CONTACT: Philip Erdelsky, cell 619-866-8512, E-mail *pje@efgh.com*. Rolando has cell phone service, although there may be a few dead spots.