This week’s return to real winter weather kept most of us close to the hearth, tending the fire and trying to keep warm. At least one colleague’s heating pipes froze, and the smell of wood smoke in the crisp air drove home the point that we should never think spring will be here in March, despite what the calendar says.

Cold temperatures shouldn’t be an excuse, though, for not getting out for a breath of fresh air. Dig out those cold weather duds you’ve had in the back of your closet and go for a walk! You’ll be pleasantly surprised (after the initial shock of cold air freezes your uvula) that once you get moving you won’t need to be bundled up like the Michelin Tire man. My wife and I took a stroll around the city in last weekend’s deep freeze and on several occasions we both wound up unzipping overcoats, taking off our hats, and removing our gloves.

We’ve been on a fitness kick lately, heading off to the YMCA/YWCA to put in time on the treadmill and other torture machines. While the warm gym is nice, nothing beats a walk in the fresh air.

I’ve had a few minutes this week to look in the e-mailbag and there were a few items there I feel compelled to pass along. Without further ado, here you go:

Maine huts & trails

Six miles of Dead River riverfront property between Spencer Stream and Enchanted Stream has just been purchased by Western Mountains Foundation, the nonprofit group organized to operate a 180-mile Maine Huts & Trails system from the Bethel area to the Moosehead Lake region.

The parcel was purchased from GMO Renewable Resources and totals approximately 530 acres along the western shore of the Dead River between Flagstaff Lake and The Forks, according to foundation board chairman Jon Fitzgerald.

This section of land is the area where the river changes character from a flatwater meandering river to a Class III-V whitewater river. “The characteristics of this river are unique in that it provides more continuous whitewater than any river in the East,” according to Russell Walters, president of Northern Outdoors, located in the Forks. The region is legendary to paddlers, rafters, anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts.

The purchase, part of the first phase of the project, was made possible through pledges and contributions of Leon and Lisa Gorman, L.L. Bean Inc., and many other supporters. United Kingfield Bank has provided financing for Maine Huts & Trails.

In this first phase, Maine Huts & Trails’ project calls for acquiring the northern 100 miles of trail and construction of three huts. Currently, MHT has purchased or acquired rights to 58 miles of trail. MHT expects to complete a number of transactions in 2006 with an objective of breaking ground for the first hut within the year.

When complete, the hut-and- trail system will consist of a 180-mile trail from Bethel to Moosehead Lake with up to 12 huts, each designed to accommodate up to 40 guests. Maine Huts & Trails’ stated vision is to preserve Maine’s naturally beautiful remote areas and provide outdoor access to the public.

In addition to the land purchase, the foundation also announced the appointment of David Herring of Portland as its first executive director.

Herring is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in park, recreation, and tourism resources and has broad experience in outdoor recreation and resource management, having spent seven years working at the Appalachian Mountain Club in New Hampshire. He worked in many capacities at AMC, culminating in overall management responsibility for the operation of AMC’s Hut System and Hermit Lake Shelter. His prior experience includes product development work at L.L. Bean.

Multi-use trail meeting

And speaking of trails, there will be two public meetings to discuss plans to convert the Calais Branch Railway into a multi-use trail that would begin in Ellsworth and continue 87 miles to Ayres Junction, west of Eastport.

Sally Jacobs and Bill Ceckler, co-chairs of the Sunrise Trail Coalition, are hoping for a good turnout to see what the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Department of Conservation have in their draft management plan. Maps will show connections for ATV and snowmobile trails. Staff from the Hancock County Planning Commission and the Washington County Council of Governments will be on hand to present a brief history, the current status, and plans going forward for this rail-trail conversion.

The meetings are planned for Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday’s meeting is in Ellsworth City Hall at 7 p.m. and Thursday’s meeting is at 6 p.m. in the University of Maine-Machias Science Building, Room 102.

You can check out the proposed trail management plan at www.downeastsunrisetrail.org or www.sunrisetrail.org or call Jum Fisher at 667-7131.

Learn maple sugaring

Here’s a chance to get your fingers sticky. Maine Audubon is offering a trip to learn about maple sugaring in the foothills of the Bigelow Range. Those attending will get hands-on experience from 7 p.m. Friday, March 18, to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 20.

“This trip is a rare chance to learn the time-honored tradition of maple sugaring while connecting with nature in western Maine,” said Margi Huber, Maine Audubon’s trips and tour coordinator.

If you go, you’ll get first-hand experience in all aspects of backyard sugaring, from collecting sap in individual buckets to boiling it in the sugar shack at Claybrook Mountain Lodge in Highland Plantation. When not sugaring, the group will explore the area on skis or snowshoes.

In the evening after dinner and a natural history slide show, participants are invited to head outside to call owls and listen for coyotes.

“It’s a great way to beat cabin fever in the early spring,” said Huber.

The trip is led by Greg Drummond, a Registered Maine Master Guide who has led hunting, fishing, hiking, and nature exploration trips in the Bigelow area for 25 years. He and his wife have owned and operated the Claybrook Mountain Lodge since 1985.

The trip includes meals and lodging and is $210 for Maine Audubon members, $225 for nonmembers. Advance registration is necessary; to register, call 207-781-2330, ext. 215.

For more information on other Maine Audubon programs, visit www.maineaudubon.org.

Outdoor skills classes

Castine Kayak Adventures is offering numerous classes and clinics this spring for paddlers and would-be guides. Recreation Guide Training/Wilderness Skills is on tap beginning March 14 and running through April 25. Maine Sea Kayak Guide training and advanced kayaking begins March 30 and runs through May 9.

Beginner kayaking classes are on tap for May 3 through May 31 on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. as well. Private or group workshops are also available, as is pool time practice.

For detailed schedules and prices see www.castinekayak.com/course.htm or call 866-3506.

Help clear Baxter trails

Baxter State Park Rangers are looking for volunteers to help clear trails of blown down trees on National Trails Day, June 3. An early snowfall and high winds created a larger-than-normal windfall this past autumn.

Space is limited, so sign up today. Individuals, groups, and outing clubs are encouraged to participate.

To volunteer or for more information, contact Stewart Guay, deputy chief ranger, or Paul Sannicandro, trail supervisor, at 207 723-9616.

Jeff Strout’s column on outdoor recreation is published each Saturday. He can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.