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03.2014 BACKPACKER 51 HIBERNATION ENDS NOW: LIKE A JUICY SPRING STRAWBERRY, THESE 17 TRIPS RIPEN EARLY. DUST OFF YOUR BOOTS TO REVEL IN MILD TEMPERATURES, VIBRANT WILDFLOWERS, PRECIOUS SOLITUDE, AND FAR-REACHING VISTAS UNOBSCURED BY THICK SUMMER FOLIAGE. ILLUSTRATIONS BY GREG COULTON SEASON STARTERS BY KELLY BASTONE SPRING GLORY: MOUN- TAIN LAUREL LINES THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK (SEE PAGE 62). 03.2014 BACKPACKER 51