When to bring snowshoes

(topic drift from the most recent of the ever-recurring "someone got lost" threads)

Imzadi said:

Does this mean that if hubby and I are planning Washington/Jefferson one day and then Carter/Hight another...we should bring snowshoes regardless? We were hoping to use day packs and leave those nasty things home...

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Even before the standard for fines was relaxed to "negligent" instead of "reckless," failure to bring snowshoes was a pretty common way to get the ticket. I wouldn't necessarily agree with "reckless," but losing the trail and getting into deep drifts gets awfully miserable awfully fast, so I carry 'em most of the time if there's significant snow on the ground.

(Washington/Jefferson as a "learning" winter hiker? That's a pretty stiff day.)

So what's the question?
Is this another snowshoe vs no snowshoe thread?

When? It all depends on conditions but I'll avoid taking them if that's the case.