Secret Walks #5: Elysian Park & Radio Hill, 3.5 miles

A surprisingly delight-filled hike through the southernmost tip of Elysian Park. We began this trek on Broadway at the Bamboo Lane gate to historic Old Chinatown. Constructed in 1938, parts of this gate were movie sets donated by Cecil B. DeMille. I thought Chinatown would be the big highlight when Barbara and I headed northeast and up into the park. Wrong. Narrow dirt trails and back roads rose to a glorious view of downtown from the tower at the top of Radio Hill, and then down to a gorgeous terraced park with old staircases. When Fleming named these "Secret Walks," he wasn't kidding. We saw falcons and lizards, but not a jogger or dog walker in sight as we hiked wooded areas once explored by Spanish soldiers in the 18th century. And though we started at 8am, the heat was brutal. We needed a reward. What could be better than strawberry cake from Chinatown's famous Phoenix Bakery Inc? Nothing. I'll be having mine for dessert tonight. :)