North Cascades

MARKETING THE WILDERNESS: DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES

Cascade and Thunder Creek Mining Districts

MINERAL RESOURCES: MINING

Russner/Almond

John Russner was the first prospector to reach the headwaters of Thunder Creek. In 1891 he and two associates traversed remote backcountry and crossed the Boston Glacier, dropping down into the upper Thunder region. The newly-staked claims were designated the Willis E. Everet (or Everett, Everette). [115] The fall of 1892 brought "quite a rush" to the new district and numerous claims were located along that rich mineral ledge. The Skagit Mining and Milling Company obtained control of Russner's original claims. After shipping several tons of ore to a smelter, the company determined that the high cost of packing the ore made their operation unprofitable. When silver prices dropped in the 1890s, the owners abandoned their efforts.

Although dozens of claims had been located, there were no profitable means of extracting the ore, and activity in the district slowed. By 1893 Russner had staked other claims and with associates Charles and Douglas Almond continued his work in the Thunder Creek basin. Undaunted by transportation difficulties, Russner made his way into the district from the eastern slope of the Cascades, as Rowse had done to reach his Boston claim:

Being practically barred from entering the district via the natural route in from the Skagit, they will go across to Wenatchee via the Great Northern [rail] road, thence up to the Chelan Country [via Lake Chelan] and in over the summit via Park Creek. [116]

Other prospectors followed this route over Park Creek Pass to work prospects on Thunder Creek until the trail along the Skagit River was improved and a bridge built across the river at its confluence with Thunder Creek.