I have always thought of Super Bowl weekend as the Great Outdoors Un-Official Holiday. In the past, I have practically owned ski resorts, parks, lakes, etc., 'cause everyone else was at the store buying munchies. After seeing all the great stories/pics about the big trees on the forum, I decided that I wanted to finally see Merced Grove (so many times I had driven buy it and not stopped to take a peek) Old Dooood has been there several times, so he was okay to drag along (as long as he got back in time to watch the 49ers lose on Sunday) With the days getting warmer and no significant amount of new snow at the time (or since) the post-holes from previous hikers suffering along really messed up the trail (good way to twist an ankle or worse) Had to switch to snow-shoes shortly after starting, because the snow was softening up even with spikes offering no help. SSs were better, BUT the layers of postholes really made it difficult at times, 'cause the toes get hooked into the holes (splat!) As I predicted, not another person to bee seen -- even at the park entrance -- no cars in the lot, and about 4 cars on 120 the whole day!
The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.