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APPALACHIAN TRAIL KICKOFF Perfect Days Pittsburgh, PA North Park Bridle Trail Walk through forested ravines and cross gurgling creeks on this 5.S-mile out-and­ back just 12 miles north of the city. Post­ hike, ice skate at t h e park's outdoor rink ($5/adult, usually through mid-March). Trip data bit.ly/0314BridleTrail Gainesville, FL Big Shoals See class III rapids from SO-foot limestone bluffs on this 5.4-mile figure-eight. After, visit a sanctuary for abused horses, but don't forget t h e admission fee: two carrots (millcreekfarm.org; open Saturdays 1 1 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Trip data bit.ly/0314BigShoals New York City, N Popolopen Gorge Roam a lush gorge under l,OOO-foot peaks on this 5.7-miler. T h e n , indulge on home­ made pies, doughnuts, and cider at The Orchards of Concklin (theorchardsofconck­ lin.com). Trip data bit.ly/0314Popolopen Bring Your: 51& &-- -o� Maple Madness, Lake George, NY This southern Adirondacks area i s famous for its rich, amber-hued maple syrup. Snag a behind-the-scenes l o k at how it's made-plus a mid-hike treat-on a 3-mile loop (or snowhoe). Take of on the level Ba Loop Trail a t Up Yonda Farm on a Saturday during "Maple Madness"­ the region's annual March celebrtion. A t .5 mile, visit t h e Sugar House, a 340-square-foot l o g cabin where Up Yonda employees boil the sap to syrupy thickness in a 2-by-3-foot, stainless-steel evaporator p a n . Slur down a smple of the finished prduct, then ver west to connect the Sugar, B Loop, and Green Trils .4 mile to the 1-mile Summit Tril Exnsion. At the frm's high pOint, glimpse Lake Geore, framed b y blue-green Adirondack peaks. Descend .8 mile across a meadow to retur. CONTACT (518) 644-9767; upyondafarm.com Insta Winner Tag your best wilderness pics #BPmag. Bob Perri, 2S, snapped this AT p i c from M t . Marshall. "Marshall has two summits­ North and South-so it's two-for-one views," he says. Meet, join, o r just send off the AT thru-hiking class of 2014 March 7 to 9 at Amicalola Falls State Park (GA). Learn more at atko.info. Thinking of thru-hiking the epic, 2,180-miler yourself? Check out our comprehensive AT guide at backpacker.com/at. Hear This Now: Spring Peepers Cheesequake SP, NJ Listen for a crescendo of chirps this March as the northern spring peepers attempt to woo females. T h e l.5-inch amphibians sport vocal sacs that can expand to 2 inches when they croak, creating a pika­ like chirr. Hear the orchestra as the males gather en masse every dusk to compete for attention in the New Jersey backcoun­ t r y . From the Cheesequake trailhead, con­ n e c t t h e Blue a n d Green Trails to create a 2.7-mile l o o p . A t the junction of the Red and Green Trails (mile 1 . 6 ) , scan the wet­ land bogs and moss gardens for the tiny, tan males (often decorated with black markings) and chartreuse-and-black females, which thrive in the moist fields and oak and maple forests. Tip: The frogs hide along freshwater p o n d edges during the day and come out to grub on algae and small insects at night. NOTE Camping is not permitted until April. CONTACT (732) 566-2161; b i t . l y/CheesequakeSP TRIP DATA bit.ly/0314Cheesequake BACKPACKER eBooks! jAfAN'S II/DOENW/U)/RNESS I WAI . KINGOFFA WAR I TR F.ASURIISIJNf BEST OF�: ,- nook b Bmes&NI DOWNLOAD THE BEST OF BACKPACKER TO YOUR COMPUTER, TABLET, O R SMARTPHONE! 03.2014 BACKPACKER 3 3