Just got back from a 3-day trip, partly in the snow. I really do not mind walking in the snow. As a mountaineer, I am very used to walking over snow, breaking trail, post-holeing, and even camping on snow. Some not so spectacular places are really spactacular with some snow cover. I have found, so far, that the snow is solid if you just do most hiking before mid-afternoon. It is quickly becoming "Sierra Cement". I am also getting really fast at taking off shoes, wading, and putting on shoes as well as soaked shoes at the end of every day. Who needs a stinkin' trail anyway! If you can read a map you are free to walk where you please.