We never ride December/early January, ever. Early season is worst season, March is where it's at!!
I see it both ways, just need to set one's expectations before loading the truck. I agree, March is where its at but don't tell everyone!
Now that I have a place in N. WI I learned the hard way to not go North in March with nothing more than a chain saw.
Whitedust, I'll lean on you as my New Years planning consultant. I just may be one of those first one down the trail guys looking for rocks and stumps.