Burro Schmidt Tunnel, Historic mining tunnel in El Paso Mountains, California.
The Burro Schmidt Tunnel extends 2,000 feet through solid granite bedrock in the northern Mojave Desert, measuring 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
William Schmidt spent 38 years from 1902 to 1938 constructing this tunnel using basic hand tools and occasional dynamite to move approximately 5,800 tons of rock.
The tunnel represents early 20th-century mining engineering methods in California, demonstrating the determination of individual miners in developing transportation routes.
Visitors can reach the tunnel by following State Highway 14 northeast from Mojave for 20 miles, then taking Redrock Randsburg Road and dirt road EP15.
The Bureau of Land Management maintains this 11.5-acre site, which includes both the tunnel and Schmidt's original cabin compound at 4,000 feet elevation.
Location: Kern County
GPS coordinates: 35.41030,-117.87600
Latest update: May 27, 2025 09:48
Tehachapi Loop
64.4 km
Red Rock Canyon State Park
11.2 km
Lake Isabella
57.8 km
Trona Pinnacles
51.4 km
Rogers Dry Lake
54.5 km
Tehachapi Pass
50.4 km
Fossil Falls
62.4 km
Coso Rock Art District
64.7 km
Jawbone Canyon
17.9 km
Walker Pass
31.3 km
Owens Peak Wilderness
35.1 km
Canebrake Ecological Reserve
44.5 km
Sacatar Trail Wilderness
61.6 km
Robbers Roost
21.2 km
Bright Star Wilderness
35 km
Maturango Museum
30.8 km
Last Chance Canyon
5.5 km
Domeland Wilderness
59.2 km
Naval Museum of Armament & Technology
34.5 km
Owens Peak
38.1 km
ESMoA
53.7 km
Errea House
60.6 km
Courtlandt Gross House
69 km
Tehachapi Depot Museum
60.5 km
Mournig Cloak Ranch and Botanical Gardens
60.6 km
Rio Tinto Borax Mine Visitor Center
45.7 km
Kern River Preserve
49.2 km
Century Circle
60.9 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes