Up in the high country of the Eastern Sierra and south of Bridgeport, is the old site of Ward. Never a big mine or camp but it makes an interesting place to visit in that a stamp mill still remains there. It's also a bit of a challenge to get to. I'm surprised that not more people know about it.
History
Thomas Ward developed the property in the early 1890s, high on the northeast side of Dunderberg Mountain. In November 1892, a four-stamp mill was built below the cabins to work ore from tunnels and shafts on the ridge forming the south wall of Green Creek Canyon. The water-powered mill crushed gold ore from the Ironsides, Bulkhead, and Castle Peak claims.
By 1900 the property passed to M.P. Hayes and Steve Kavanaugh, who struck promising ground that summer. The ridge above the cabins became known as Kavanaugh Ridge.
It was always a small operation. Ed Page continued to work the claims well into the 1900s, making a remarkable climb from his cabin in Green Creek Canyon to the mineral deposits above. Using two long sticks as canes, Page pulled his crippled legs by his powerful arms, and was often crawling. The ascent was over two thousand feet, almost vertical. His tortuous trail was reportedly still visible from the heights of the ridge.
In 1917, the mine had a 210-foot incline shaft and a 210-foot adit on the 100-foot level with 150-foot and 100-foot drifts. The mine is caved these days.
Weather and visitors have taken their toll on the site. The mining camp sits at 9,850 feet, just below timberline, and only has a small log cabin ruin remaining. The nearby stamp mill was unusual in having four stamps instead of five.
The best time to go up there is in the autumn when the aspens are turning color.
