Well the hiking weather has been good by my experience. The often abnormally warm temperatures have prevented the winter moisture from freezing for the most part so eliminating some challenges in the form of ice and snow, though creating others such as slippery mud, and at times some flooded streams. This type of weather provides for a quieter walk with more opportunity to listen to the woods. Bear activity is of course down with the cooler temps, however in one of my routes off the primary beaten path I have noticed fresh skat and taken note to proceed with awareness as recently as the 27th. For anyone reading that doubts this report "because bears are hibernating", I'd suggest, while you're waiting for spring, please research the black bears "hibernation" behavior.
The campsite in the picture was found off a man-way far from any park designated campsite and I 'stumbled" upon it while bushwhacking up an old logging road. It did not appear to have been used recently, at least their were no ashes in the fire-pit only leaves fallen from last fall.
