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22 BACKPACKER 03.2014 Basecamp Trips: From the Field P H O T O S B Y ( C L O C K W I S E F R O M R I G H T ) C R Y S T A L B R I N D L E ; E R I C G U T H ; J A S O N H A T F I E L D / T A N D E M S T O C K . C O M ; H A G E P H O T O ; R A D O S L A W L E C Y K / S H U T T E R S T O C K . C O M ; P H I L L I P N O L L . T E X T B Y S A R A H L . S T E W A R T ( F R O M T H E F I E L D , P E R F E C T D A Y S ) , A P R I L C U M M I N G ( S O L I T U D E F I N D E R ) , A N D R Y A N H O R J U S ( B R I N G Y O U R S K I S ) Photo tutorial Learn how to take panoramic images from pro Zyg Zee in Yosemite on March 9 (free; bit.ly/ZygZeeYose). Our trail scouts’ top local hikes WEST YOUR NEVADA FIELD SCOUT Alan Gegax, 38, has hiked “at least 500 times” in Red Rock Canyon since moving to Vegas 25 years ago. “I even met my wife on the trail at Red Rock,” he says. “Naturally, we got married there, too.”  Climb slickrock flanked by the Colorado River on this 4.2-mile out-and-back. Gain 1,000 feet atop 200 million-year-old sandstone, savor- ing panoramic views to Arches National Park and the 12,000-foot La Sal Mountains at mile 1.3. Weave among 200-foot domes, then scramble to the top of one of them to overlook red-rock fins and ribs from the turnaround at mile 2.1. Trip data bit.ly/0314MoabRimTrail  Score ocean views and camp in a blufftop coastal meadow on this 11-mile out-and- back. Hike through fi elds choked with bright yellow coastal bush lupine and fuzzy lavender pussy ears (blooming in March). Keep right at mile 3.8 to set up camp at Wildcat Campground at mile 5.7 (permit required; $20/night). Follow the beach 1 mile south to see 40-foot Alamere Falls plunging from the cliff above. Trip data bit.ly/0314WildcatBeach  Scramble up a 6,323-foot desert summit on this 4-mile out-and-back to Vegas-area views. Wind through beige sandstone outcrops and hedgehog and beavertail cactus (pink blooms in spring) for the fi rst mile, looking for bighorn sheep. Ascend a rocky ravine to a saddle, then climb .3 mile up talus to 360-degree views from Mead to the rainbow-striped Spring Mountains escarpment. Trip data bit.ly/0314Turtlehead  Traipse through centuries-old woods to a mountain lake on this 5.2-mile out-and-back. Enter old-growth forest at mile 1, where 200-foot- tall fi rs and cedars crowd the trail and white tri-petaled trillium blooms in early spring. Cross a bridge over snowmelt-fueled Lena Creek to over- look the 55-acre lake at mile 2.6; descend .3 mile to camp at the shore (free, no permit required). Trip data bit.ly/0314LenaLake “As you’re hiking up, turn around for a view of the Colorado River as it leaves the Moab Valley.” “In March, look off the shore for the northern migra- tion of gray whales heading back to Alaska.” “For me, trekking poles are a must—especially on the way down—due to the tricky footing on the scree.” “It’s a good early-season hike because of its low elevation, but be wary of snow at the lake in March.” Lena Lake, Olympic NF, WA Anna Roth Seattle, WA Moab Rim Trail, Moab BLM, UT Brett Sutter Moab, UT Wildcat Beach Loop, Point Reyes NS, CA John Dell’Osso Olema, CA Turtlehead Peak, Red Rock Can- yon NCA, NV Alan Gegax Las Vegas, NV Star Dune Loop, Great Sand Dunes NP, CO Patrick Myers Mosca, CO THE BETATHE HIKE OVERLOOK THE CALICO BASIN.  Scale North America’s tallest sand dune on this 6.6-mile loop in a desert edged by snow- capped Fourteeners. First ascend High Dune; then summit Star Dune, which measures 755 feet from its base (look for golden eagles overhead). Savor views to 14,294-foot Crestone Peak, then head south to close the loop. Option: Camp in a low spot between the dunes (free permit required). Trip data bit.ly/0314StarDune “Look south from Star Dune to see herds of elk in the Medano Creek valley in March.” SEE THE SANGRE DE CRISTOS TO THE EAST. ALAMERE FALLS PLUNGES TO WILDCAT BEACH.