in Thoreau’s Journal:

A little snow lodged on the N side of the woods gives them a hoary aspect–a mere sugaring however– The snow has just ceased falling about 2 inches deep in the woods upon the old & on bare ground–but there is scarcely a track of any animal yet to be seen….You cannot walk too early in new fallen snow—to get the sense of purity novelty & unexploredness.

The snow has lodged more or less in perpendicular lines on the northerly sides of trees so that I am able to tell the points of compass as well as by the sun. I guide myself accordingly—