header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 19
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house


Commentary by Linda A. Castro
| Thursday, Jun 16, 2016
burroschmidt03

LindaCastroThere is an odd and mysterious tunnel in the Mojave Desert, specifically in the El Paso Mountains east of Highway 14 and north of the Redrock-Randsburg Road.

The tunnel cuts through about a half-mile of solid granite and does not lead anywhere. It merely emerges on a high ledge in the middle of nowhere.

This tunnel stands as a monument to one man’s perseverance, grit, and perhaps bizarre obsession.

It is believed that William Henry Schmidt, better known as “Burro” Schmidt, began building this tunnel so he could provide transportation to the railroad for his ore more easily. He had chosen to mine for gold in a mountain that required him to use a treacherous trail to haul ore to the smelter.

He decided to bore through the mountain instead.

Some accounts are that Schmidt began digging his tunnel in 1902, while others say it was as late as 1906. It is believed he was about 36 when he began digging the tunnel and about 68 when he finished. Depending on which account is accurate, Schmidt spent anywhere from 32 to 38 years accomplishing the task of single-handedly drilling a tunnel nearly half a mile long.

What is even more amazing is that the only tools he used were picks, hammers, hand drills and dynamite. He could not afford kerosene and instead used candles; he would make one candle last an entire day.

burroschmidt01On many occasions, he was seriously injured by his dynamite explosions while digging the tunnel because he refused to pay for long fuses which were more expensive. This earned him the name of “Jackass Schmidt” by some of the locals – which led him to take on the name of “Burro” later in life.

Schmidt removed rubble from the tunnel with a wheelbarrow and even carried it out on his back. Eventually, he installed iron tracks and a mine cart to transport debris. His leveling method was a bowl of water on the ore cart track he put down.

Today the tunnel is dead straight for 2,000 feet, with a sharp turn at the end that exists above Koehn Dry Lake and the town of Cantil.

Despite the construction of a road in 1920 that eliminated the need for his tunnel, he continued to dig. No one knows if he ever struck gold, but when he finally reached the other side of the mountain and reached daylight in 1938, he simply walked away from his life’s work. He packed up and left the mountain and lived the last part of his life in nearby Ridgecrest.

burroschmidt02Was Schmidt crazy? Many people thought so, since Schmidt claimed to be obsessed and unable to stop until the job was done. However, many believe he was following a substantial vein of gold through the mountain.

If you visit the tunnel today, you can walk upright through the entire tunnel in about 30 minutes. You will see a memorial plaque to Schmidt and will be treated to a spectacular view at the end of the tunnel.

Burro Schmidt Tunnel can be accessed by a dirt road (EP15) that is best driven with a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle. Signage for the tunnel is minimal and can often be missed. For example, the makeshift sign on Highway 14 is low to the ground and does not resemble an official Bureau of Land Management sign. There is, however, an official BLM route sign that marks EP15 at its juncture with Highway 14.

 

 

Linda Castro is a nature enthusiast and animal lover.  She is the Desert Field Organizer for the California Wilderness Coalition and serves on the board of the SCV-based Community Hiking Club.  Her commentaries relate to California’s deserts.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

61 Comments

  1. Kevin says:

    There’s definitely gold there. My brother and I walked through the tunnel 10 years ago and found gold on the ceiling just by shining a flashlight on it. Maybe someday we’ll find out how much gold the old man found.

  2. Brian says:

    GPS coordinates to the sign/turnoff would be tremendously helpful…

  3. Adam Beltran says:

    I wanna go see that

  4. Definitely worth a trip to see, take a flashlight though!

  5. Keith Wilson says:

    Went through the tunnel 35 years ago…there was a small building in front with pictures and artifacts there was a lady that would answer your questions along with a guest book you could sign.

  6. Justin Gomez says:

    “El Chapo’? maybe ?

  7. Roger Rompal says:

    Is that burro Schmidt tunnel

  8. Nick Pavelka says:

    Great place to stop with your dirtbike out there .I’ve talk to the lady before she passed away

  9. The Trona Railway runs near there and had a tunnel that closed due to a fire in the early 80s. Could be related.

  10. Johnny Vm says:

    Jessica Razo lets go here

  11. Terry Is this the one we went through?

  12. Dan Seeder says:

    Yes. Burro Schmidt tunnel.

  13. Do the rails run the whole way through??

  14. James King says:

    I wanna go explore, can we Wendi?

  15. Jason Greil says:

    Gerry McCarney, remember that weekend we went off roading and dirt biking and found this?

  16. Susan Mitchell says:

    I have been through it back in the 80s. Plan on taking our grandkids! Interesting

  17. Grant Moore says:

    Don’t hit your head lol

  18. This tunnel was.dug by hand by the husband of the lady nick Pavelka mentioned, she never could give a reason as to why he dug it tho

  19. El Chapo remember that his wife is in Lancaster in also is getting ready when he came to United States it’s going to be ready by the time he arrives to escape

  20. And also they used to be Area 51 back in the days

  21. Casey Payne is this the tunnel that you took Josh and I to?

  22. Danny Dang says:

    I was just in this mine a few weeks ago!

  23. Great story – what a Jackass (JUST KIDDING!)

  24. Isn’t this the tunnel in Death Valley ? The tunnel was dug by William Burro Schmidt. Dude miss calculated and realized he dug the wrong way I think. Crazy what one person can do with his bare hands.

    • Matt Skipper says:

      Schmidt tunnel is in Redrock park. He thought there was a vertical gold spike in the mountain so he dug sideways to try and hit it. There was no such spike. Like a week or so after he finished he died.

  25. Brian Moen says:

    Road dirt bikes there many times from Dove springs.

  26. Oh hell ya I would go in a heartbeat

  27. Be careful out there, we used to live at the base nearby. Some of the mines are still privately owned.

  28. Tommy Prada Joe Bogna Zane Cassidy Michael Coleman our next hike?

  29. Ron Wachter says:

    Digging this tunnel saved his life go on line and read the story. Burro Schmidt tunnle

  30. Zachary Finney, Cassie Allison, Steven Allison

  31. Tom Coulombe says:

    Been in that tunnel many times on desert rides. His Wife used to give us the tour and tell her husbands story. Classic. I think he was looking for gems or silver. Its only been about 27 years lol

  32. Been there many times!

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Friday, Sep 13, 2024
As a father of three, I understand firsthand the importance of guiding our children through open communication and keeping them engaged in extracurricular activities and sports to foster their growth.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
You may have noticed that things look a little different around our city. Maybe you noticed the motion sensor lights at our parks, or the solar panels being installed in city parking lots.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
California State  Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) is urging residents to prepare an emergency evacuation plan as the Line Fire, Bridge Fire and several other wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to High Desert and foothill communities.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
As we approach the November 2024 elections, the importance of informed voting cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the ballot box will shape the future of our city, state and nation. Yet, in an era where soundbites often substitute for substantive discussion, how can voters truly grasp the complexities of the issues at hand?
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
COC Receives $300,000 NASA Grant to Expand Student Access to STEM Fields
Bring along a furry friend to the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center's Purple Walk Domestic Violence Awareness 5K on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8-11 a.m. at the Center’s main facility 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Oct. 5: 5K Purple Walk Dogs Against Domestic Violence
Written and directed by Braddon Mendelson, produced by Heather Mendelson, and co-produced by Olive Branch Theatricals and Noisivision Studios, "Provenance" will take stage at the The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 27-29: Braddon Mendelson to Present ‘Provenance’ at The MAIN
The Master's women's volleyball team opened Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on the road in Prescott, Ariz. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defeating the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play with Road Win
College of the Canyons freshman Sahya Kitabatake shot a two-under-par round of 70 to tie for medalist honors while helping the Cougars place fourth at the Western State Conference tournament at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Monday, Sept. 16.
Kitabatake Medals, Canyons Women Take Fourth at Sterling Hills Golf Club
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
SRD Straightening Reigns, a therapeutic organization offering equine assisted psychotherapy, has been awarded $278,870 from the California State budget to improve mental health services.
California Awards $278,870 in Funding to SRD Straightening Reins
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
California Institute of the Arts alums Alyssa Dressman Lehner and Clara Plestis captured Emmy Awards at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Two Calartians Win 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
Joint Assistance Centers Open for Residents Impacted by Bridge, Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
LASD Announces New Policy on Law Enforcement Gangs
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
SCVEDC Offers Virtual Business Tours of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
SCVNews.com