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….

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.