BURRO SCHMIDT TUNNELLocation: Randsburg, CA
Accessibility: Moderately Difficult Drive Created: 1906-1938 |
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Located in the vast desert of Randsburg, California, the Burro Schmidt Tunnel could easily be categorized as one of the great Man-Made Wonders of the world. It has been stated that constructing a tunnel is one of the most complex challenges in the field of civil engineering. These horizontal passageways, such as the Tunnel Springs Tunnel, St. Paul Pass Tunnel, and Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel, take several years, manpower, and high-powered tools to create.
Stretching out at 2,087 feet in the El Paso Mountains, the Burro Schmidt Tunnel was not constructed by a team of engineers, or expensive equipment. Instead, the mysterious entrance into the mountain was dug out by William H. Schmidt’s own two hands. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Schmidt uprooted his life and migrated to California after all six of his brothers and sisters died from consumption. Lured to the deserts of California by the promises of gold, Schmidt lived in a humble cabin next to his tunnel and maintained a lifestyle of solitude and frugality.
Sans any formal training in mining technology, Schmidt opted to create a shortcut through Copper Mountain to bring gold ore to market. In 1906, Schmidt utilized a pick, a 4lb hammer, a shovel, and his two hands and began chiseling at the side of the mountain. Carrying out bags of rock on his back and with a wheelbarrow, Schmidt’s tedious work into the mountain led to toting a reputation among the locals as “crazy” and “obsessed”. Still, Schmidt trekked on. In 1938, after 32 years of pouring his time, health, and attention into his tunnel, Schmidt punched through to the other side of the mountain overlooking the valley, dropped his tools, and walked away.
In 1954 at the age of 82, William Burro Schmidt passed away. Official records state that Schmidt never struck it rich, however, Burro Schmidt certainly left behind a priceless legacy. William Burro Schmidt - clinically insane, or simply devoted? Check out our adventure at the Burro Schmidt Tunnel to decide for yourself.
Stretching out at 2,087 feet in the El Paso Mountains, the Burro Schmidt Tunnel was not constructed by a team of engineers, or expensive equipment. Instead, the mysterious entrance into the mountain was dug out by William H. Schmidt’s own two hands. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Schmidt uprooted his life and migrated to California after all six of his brothers and sisters died from consumption. Lured to the deserts of California by the promises of gold, Schmidt lived in a humble cabin next to his tunnel and maintained a lifestyle of solitude and frugality.
Sans any formal training in mining technology, Schmidt opted to create a shortcut through Copper Mountain to bring gold ore to market. In 1906, Schmidt utilized a pick, a 4lb hammer, a shovel, and his two hands and began chiseling at the side of the mountain. Carrying out bags of rock on his back and with a wheelbarrow, Schmidt’s tedious work into the mountain led to toting a reputation among the locals as “crazy” and “obsessed”. Still, Schmidt trekked on. In 1938, after 32 years of pouring his time, health, and attention into his tunnel, Schmidt punched through to the other side of the mountain overlooking the valley, dropped his tools, and walked away.
In 1954 at the age of 82, William Burro Schmidt passed away. Official records state that Schmidt never struck it rich, however, Burro Schmidt certainly left behind a priceless legacy. William Burro Schmidt - clinically insane, or simply devoted? Check out our adventure at the Burro Schmidt Tunnel to decide for yourself.