Snowshoeing in the Sierra Nevada
Snowshoers and cross-country skiers share groomed trails at Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort in Soda Springs, Calif. (Hugo Martin / Los Angeles Times)
A pair of snowshoes with lightweight aluminum frames, polymer gel stirrups and stainless-steel crampons. Snowshoes have come a long way since early settlers, with wood slabs strapped to their feet, crossed the Bering Strait thousands of years ago. (Hugo Martin / Los Angeles Times)
Snowshoers and cross-country skiers can stop in at one of eight warming huts, which have hot tea and heaters. (Hugo Martin / Los Angeles Times)
Snowshoer Annsofi Sabahi of San Mateo points out one of her favorite trails at Royal Gorge. (Hugo Martin / Los Angeles Times)