Compared to the forecast, Saturday turned out to be a gem, didn’t it? Last I heard the dire outlook was 90 percent chance of precipitation, maybe 80 percent.

Wrong, thank you! After giving the day a good start and waiting to see if things were going to deteriorate, my wife and I decided a trip to The Island was in order. We threw a few items in packs, grabbed the sunglasses, and headed south.

At Trenton we strayed to the west side of Mount Desert Island and set course for Wonderland, stopping at the last store in Bass Harbor to pick up some lunch fixin’s. The turnout for the Wonderland Trail is about 1.2 miles east on Route 102A from the intersection with Route 102 (it’s a sharp left). It had been years since either of us had been this way, so it was almost like an adventure!

Several other cars were at the roadside parking area when we pulled up. As we made our way along the trail toward the ocean, the only trick was crossing some slick ice in a few places. The rest of the way in was mostly dry or firm, wet gravel.

Wonderland Trail is 0.7 miles long and ends in a small loop at the shore. We hopped onto the beach the first chance we had and proceeded to make our way along the rocky shore, taking in the view at every opportunity. When we got far enough from the trail where we figured others wouldn’t be walking, we plopped down our Crazy Creek chairs and broke out lunch.

A southerly breeze kept us from getting hot but not uncomfortably cool. Bufflehead ducks entertained us as we ate, and a sole seal made a feeble attempt to haul out on rocks not more than 150 feet from us. Failing that, it made one last reconnoiter and disappeared. Farther out near the surf line, a flock of eider ducks bobbed about on the waves.

After a relaxing meal we packed up and skirted the shore, walking most of the way to Seawall picnic area. In what I’d say was about a mile and a quarter of shore, we saw only one other person. While there was still some ice on the wet areas just back of the shoreline, it was clear winter’s grip was fast loosening. Everywhere ice melt was running seaward.

We headed back around 4:30 noting that the ice on the trail had softened in the relatively short time we’d been there. It’s a great time of year to be visiting some of the park’s oceanside hikes. The influx of visitors has yet to happen and you feel like you have the place to yourself. If time permits we’re headed back in the near future. I hear the Ship Harbor Nature Trail calling.

By the way, we stopped at the L.L. Bean Factory Store on our way back through Ellsworth and I picked up a nice waterproof map of Acadia National Park. The topo map shows all the carriage roads, hiking trails, and mileage between points. The Island Explorer bus system stops are shown as well to help you plan an outing should you decide to park your car. It’s produced by Map Adventures Topographic Maps and Guides LLC. One side of the map features the eastern side of the island, while the other features the western side. There’s even a comprehensive trail index and trail-rating scale for each of the many trails that lace the island. Check out www.mapadventures.com.

5k Trail Run

Want to help raise some money for the Bangor Humane Society and get in some exercise, too? Maybe some bragging rights? The crew down at Epic Sports is putting together a 5K Trail Run at Bangor City Forest on April 28. Registration starts that day at 7:30 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m. Here’s the part I like: Walkers are welcome!

If you’re organized and enter ahead of time at Epic, the entry fee is $10. You’ll pay $15 the day of the race. There will be awards, too. Gift certificates will be awarded to overall winners, male and female. Male and female winners of age groups also will receive awards.

The race will start and end in the same area, which is the site of the former Bangor City Dump. To get there, take Hogan Road exit from I-95 and drive past the mall to the Stillwater Avenue intersection. Proceed across the intersection onto Kittridge Road and take it to the end, about a mile.

For more information, call the gang at Epic at 941-5670.

Downeast Adventure Race

I heard from my Polar Bear dipping mentor, Tess Ftorek of Robbinston, this week. I guess she’s finally thawed out from her icy bath in Passamaquoddy Bay toward the end of January. Her fingers, at least, had limbered up enough to drop me an e-mail about an upcoming event at Washington County Community College, the sponsor of the annual Polar Dip.

Ftorek, a fellow Maine Guide, wanted me to let you know about the Downeast Adventure Race 2007 sponsored WCCC’s Adventure Recreation and Tourism Program. All of the details are on the Web site www.downeastadventurerace.org or can be found on the college’s Web site www.wccc.me.edu. The race will be held on April 28 over a 21-mile course involving mountain biking, canoeing, running, and sea kayaking. It can be done individually, as a relay team, or as a four-person (one is a support person) team. More information can be obtained by contacting Scott Fraser at 454-1031.

And as if to throw down the gauntlet, Ftorek tossed in an invite: “Maybe you can come down and participate … or cheer on the participants … or, you could bring along your kayak and encourage them in the last leg of the race … or you can bring your kayak, spend the night with us, and paddle the next day.”

We’ll see what the end of April brings, Tess. My leash is pretty short lately.

Baxter Trails Day

About 30 hardy souls volunteered last year for Baxter State Park’s National Trails Day event, trail supervisor Paul Sannicandro told me the other day in an e-mail. He’s hoping to attract at least the same number this year on June 2 (rain date June 3).

Sannicandro is looking for volunteers to come to the park and help clear the Helon Taylor Trail, one of the park’s most popular trails. It is in need of general maintenance that requires brushing back the krumholz from tree line back down to the lower elevations. Use of lopping pruners and hand saws to define the corridor back to navigable trail standards is planned, he wrote.

The work is classified as moderate to difficult. You’ll need to be able to hike a total of four miles round trip with a daypack. There will be an elevation gain of 2,580 feet over two miles.

Space is limited. Individuals, groups, and outing clubs are encouraged to participate. Supper will be provided following completion of the project as well as camping/overnight accommodations at the Abol Narrows facility for the nights of June 1-2.

Contact Sannicandro at Baxter State Park, 64 Balsam Drive, Millinocket 04462 or call him at 207-723-9616.

Commuter Challenge

What used to be Commute Another Way Day has turned into a whole statewide week – May 14-18! All Maine commuters are welcome and encouraged to participate.

You may remember that in years past you were urged to park your vehicle and find another, environmentally friendly way to get to work or around town.

Commute Another Way Week promotes healthy, economical, and eco-friendly modes of commuting: Carpools, vanpools, transit (bus, ferry, and rail), bicycling, and walking to work.

You may try “commuting another way” one day or all five. To mix and match you might try one commuter mode of travel or a different one each day. The more days you try, the more chances you have to win big prizes! And if you sign up for the summer bonus, you could win the grand prize!

I’m told that if you register today as an official participant and supporter at: www.commuteanotherwayweek.org online, you become eligible.

The Go Maine Commuter Program is sending out a welcome for you to be part of the solution for improved physical and social health, a cleaner environment, greater mobility, energy conservation, and extra savings on the high price of gas.

For more information contact Carey M. Kish, Greater Portland Council of Governments, 68 Marginal Way, 4th Floor, Portland 04101 or call 774-9891 or 800-280-RIDE. You may visit Maine’s Statewide Commuter Services Program on the Web as www.gomaine.org for more information as well.

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.