Workers struggle to free snowmobile stuck in deep snow near Buffalo Pass, Colo.

Typical, deep snowpack at sampling pit at Buffalo Pass, Colo.

Deep, fresh powder snow traps snowmobile near Buffalo Pass, Colo.

Worker wades through deep snow to recover snowmobile stuck near Buffalo Pass, Colo.

Worker hauls snow samples away from site near Buffalo Pass, Colo.

Exceptionally deep snowpack of 1997 at Buffalo Pass, Colo.