John Schnabel is a legendary gold miner in Alaska. He was the founder of the Big Nugget Mine, an infamous mine on the edge of Porcupine Creek. He was thee boss of the mine, until 2011, when 91 year old John gave the mine to his 17 year old grandson Parker Schnabel. John is still around to help with the mine and his grandson.

Near the end of the Season 2, John suffered a heart attack, but lived and went back to the mine to boss during Parker's return to school.