1984 Map of Banner Ridge

About this map

Mining operations and remote springs define this mid-1980s landscape across the Benton Range and Inyo National Forest. The map documents a high density of mineral claims and workings, including the Black Rock Mine to the east and the Wildrose Mine tucked into Wildrose Canyon. These sites are linked by a network of unimproved roads and the prominent Wildrose Grade, reflecting the area's history of exploration and extraction. Water sources are critical landmarks in this arid high-country terrain, with Banner Springs and Moran Spring providing necessary relief for travelers and stock. Along the western edge, Watterson Meadow offers a rare break in the topography. Tracing the routes from Benton Crossing Road through Chidago Canyon, the map reveals the complex geography of the Banner Ridge corridor and its numerous secondary workings like the Gold Crown Mine and Sierra Vista Mine.