He spent 38 years digging a tunnel in the Mojave Desert—with no clear destination 
Locals called him crazy, but now tourists walk the same path he carved with just a shovel and sheer will 
The mystery of William “Burro” Schmidt lives on… and the view at the end? Totally worth it 
Want to see what’s inside? Photos in this article 
The Mojave Desert covers a large part of Southern California and attracts many tourists who come to admire its unique and unusual landscapes. But the desert is home to not only natural wonders—there’s also a mysterious man-made tunnel that sparks curiosity.
This tunnel was dug by a man named William Henry Schmidt, who worked on it for 38 years. He never gave a clear reason for what he was doing, only saying that he wanted to make the shortest route to… somewhere. No one really knows where.
You’ll find this tunnel in the El Paso Mountains, in the northern Mojave Desert, located in eastern Kern County.
Schmidt started digging in 1902. People living nearby thought he would soon give up on what seemed like a pointless task. But he kept going, using just a shovel, pickaxe, and a hand drill.
He worked alone, without any help or guidance, and often got hurt along the way. Schmidt refused to stop—even when others called him crazy.
Despite being known as the local eccentric, William didn’t quit. He spent years carving his way through rock. Sadly, he passed away before he could finish his tunnel. Today, the tunnel he worked so hard on has become a tourist attraction. Visitors can walk through it, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the other end.
At the end of the tunnel, there’s a beautiful view of the desert landscape, making the journey feel even more meaningful. Still, no one truly knows why William was so determined to build this tunnel. But maybe that mystery is what makes it such a fascinating and popular place to visit.
