2007 03 Eastern Nevada

2007 03 08 Ward, Taylor

Ward is an old mining site about 20 miles south of Ely. I have photographed it many times over the last 6-7 years, and wanted to photograph it again since it is deteriorating rapidly and I heard from a BLM archaeologist that it may be removed and the site restored. I don't know if this is going to happen or not, although it would be interesting to see the site again once it happens.

Since this is early March and the elevation is around 7200 feet there is a lot of snow and ice around, and it's cold.

As you can see the place is really falling apart now that the weather can get inside. In one of the rooms there is a foot or more of solid ice on the floor. This site was relatively untouched when I first saw it. In fact it looked as if all the workers went home one day, expecting to be back the next, but then never did return. All the core samples that were once neatly stacked are now in piles everywhere. It's sad to see that the place has been trashed by people. The weather is one thing, vandals are another.

The above two shots show a lab room that now has a foot of ice on the floor.

The first four of the next group show some of the storage space that is now being trashed by Mother Nature as well as vandals. The last two shots are of the Steptoe Valley from the site, looking east, and the site itself, looking back west at the Egan Range. The mine itself was further up the valley in these mountains. At this time of year the road is snow covered and muddy. Even hiking the road would be difficult.

Just south of the mining site are some interesting charcoal ovens. The charcoal was used in the mill associated with the mine. This is an interesting social history of what went on at the ovens. I have been to the ovens but not this trip.

I also looked at the "Taylor Project" site, across the Steptoe Valley from Ward. I made contact with the owner and will photograph this place later in the trip. The mill here was last operated by the Alta Gold Corporation, milling silver and zinc. Exploratory drilling is being done on the site now.

The first photograph looks back across the valley toward Ward, about 10 miles away. The second two photographs are of the older mine shaft at Taylor, long abandoned. The last is the gate into the new mine site. Looks like they want us out.