Catholic pilgrims making 32 mile trek through Coachella Valley

Hundreds of pilgrims are walking from one end of the Coachella Valley to the other in honor of a Catholic figure, “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” Wednesday.

The annual event recalls the day on December 1531 when church teachings say the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared before a man named Juan Diego on a hillside in what is now Mexico City. She is said to have left her image on his cloak.

In 1999, Pope John Paul II proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of the Americas, Empress of Latin America and Protectress of Unborn Children.

The walk started in Palm Springs and was expected to end after 7 p.m. in Coachella. Drivers were being asked to keep an eye out for the marchers as they make their way across the Coachella Valley.

First stop: 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at an empty lot in the corner of E. Palm Canyon Dr. near Buddy Rodgers Avenue in Cathedral City. Second Stop: 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Destination: 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Solidad Church in Coachella.

The route begins in Palm Springs at Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive then continues east along Highway 111 to Frank Sinatra Drive.

Walkers will then take Frank Sinatra Drive to Tamarisk Row Drive where they will then head south to Hovley Lane, east to Warner Trail, south to Miles Avenue, east to Clinton Street, south to Doctor Carreon Boulevard, east to Calhoun St., south to Ave. 50, east to Harrison St. and then finally to Valley Road.

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