Weird History: The Burro Schmidt Tunnel

Called one of the greatest one-man engineering feats of all time, the Burro Schmidt Tunnel was the lifetime work of an isolated man living in the Mojave Desert of California. The story of Burro Schmidt is a weird yet fascinating chapter in California history. In this video, I go into the tunnel and try to gain insight into why Burro Schmidt dedicated his lifetime for this endeavor.
Burro Schmidt started making his tunnel in 1906 with nothing more than a pick axe, shovel and occasional stick of dynamite. 32 years and 2,500 feet later, he came out the back side of Copper Mountain in 1938. The purpose of the tunnel is generally understood to have been a shortcut for Schmidt to transport his ore down to the desert, but logic doesn't seem to agree with that theory. Whatever the reason was, Schmidt abandoned the site after he finished, without ever using it as a shortcut.
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MUSIC CREDIT
Burro Schmidt by John Malcolm Penn
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[@prestonmiller9552]

I always love stories like this. That was one I never heard of before. Thanks for sharing.

[@Wolficorntv]

Me too! Glad you liked it. My plane has been in the shop for awhile now so I just wanted to make a video about something I found interesting.

[@Tepnox]

Quite interesting indeed!

[@jimkleiss1020]

Incredible. He may have been crazy, but we still remember him, don't we....more than can be said of most men. Glad to see a video from you; excellent as always!

[@Wolficorntv]

Exactly Jim...we still remember him and not in a bad way! Glad you liked it.

[@edfeten4724]

He was from the east coast. He had problems with his lungs. His doctor told him he needed to move to a drier climate. That was his reason for heading out to the desert. He didn't spend all his time digging. When he needed money he worked as a laborer on the farms and ranches in the area. When he earned enough money he would go back to the tunnel and dig. He would repeat that process. It is said that he outlived the doctor. Maybe he was a little crazy or maybe he really liked living in the area. I have been there several times. The last time I was there it was over 100F outside, but just 20 feet inside the tunnel it felt like about 76F. I really enjoy riding dirt bikes in the area.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx for adding the additional info. When editing, I decided to leave out some of the details you mentioned (and more) for the sake of the video based on what I shot that day. I feel like his story is worthy of a full length documentary it's so interesting, honestly.

[@K1STG-Fred]

Not wanting to be there during an earthquake was the first thing I thought of as well. Great video.

[@Wolficorntv]

Ever seen or read 127 Hours? Talk about scary!!!!!

[@K1STG-Fred]

@@Wolficorntv Familar with the story but haven’t seen the movie or read the book yet. Mainly because it is the type of stuff my nightmares are made of. 😮

[@hillman2067]

Took a real man to finish what he started even without a need to

[@user-wd1tg4jn5m]

About 1965 my scout troop was camping out in last chance canyon. One of the leaders heard about the mine so we went over for a look see. His cabin was still quite liveable. A distant relative of his was living on the property. She told us the story of Burro Schmidt. He consumed mostly beans and chili. Attached to the cabin was The spine of one of his burros. The mine entrance was in good shape. The mine car and rails was still there. The story was the same about the mine. He did find a small vein of silver. There was a nook in the mine with a large wood door that was used for storage. I was 12 when last there but a story that I have always remembered.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx for sharing

[@PotelinoSeven]

Merci beaucoup

[@heavenlee4117]

He consumed mostly beans and chili...Imagine the resounding echos of his massive farts in the depths of his tunnel...

[@troysparks3772]

Perhaps there’s was gold in that tunnel. People don’t do things for no reason normally, I don’t see Mr Schmidt being any different. He found gold and didn’t spill the secret. Awesome story.

[@BasedinReality1984]

Hate to say it, but that’s just ‘not how gold works’.

[@RandoPandaSmiles]

And he spent all that gold on what? Food for his pets and more newspaper for his one-room shack? I think what we’re seeing here is mental illness manifest. Everyone needs a purpose to get up in the morning. This dude created his own purpose.

[@walkers]

​@RandoPanda probably mental health, not illness. He was doing something that you just don't understand. It was probably his opus.

[@EggerRJ]

I've been in that tunnel multiple times. I've seen little to no evidence of any commercially valuable ore in there. I think the man was just obsessed with getting through to the other side.

[@kennymcwilliams8972]

Great video ~ how do you come up with these type of things, amazing! Also, that took real guts to walk through that tunnel. Super interesting story, thanks for sharing it.

[@Wolficorntv]

I dunno...I just come across stories that grab my interest and some I determine would be fun to make into a video.

[@vonfange]

Odd little story. Nice music, nice walk through to the other end. and what a view. Thanks for taking the time to make this for our armchair enjoyment. Was wondering if'n you've heard about Death Valley Scottie. Lots of fun, little known stories. If ever you get that a way they would be fun to remember through your eyes.

[@Wolficorntv]

I'm familiar with Scotty's castle...I assume the same person?

[@isaacgarcia2217]

Esto es historia pura (tal vez para muchos incomprendida). Increíble video

[@brokenpines8491]

I really enjoyed this! I spent a lot of time in Adelanto and Victorville as a kid. My Grandpa purchased 10 acers in Adelanto in the 50's. It had an old cabin that my Uncles built onto and put in a well. Kind of looked like Burro's cabin. My brother and I would dig deep and wide holes way behind the cabin for hours and for days with tin coffee cans.. We were digging to China! Everyone called us Desert Rats. Love seeing the desert, brings back many good times. I'm in the Midwest now for 27 years. I try to get back and visit Lucerne to visit family , but last year did not want to travel. I am not sure about this year. Thanks for a great video with a great story!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you enjoyed it and thx for that background info. I love digging into these types of stories.

[@PotelinoSeven]

Belle l’histoire la votre.

[@TuomoMooneyFlying]

Fascinating story and well told, loved the drone work! Thanks for making it!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LaziUK]

Amazing story...brilliantly told! A tribute almost...many thanks

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@GilbertMendoza]

I was just browsing over maps of the deserts surrounding Death Valley, and various interesting BLM boundaries. Stumbled upon this tunnel, and your video came up in my first search. What a beautiful presentation. Thanks for sharing! I am definitely going to visit this spot! I can't imagine him not shedding tears when he broke through. 😭 What an awesome story.

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it. Def check it out. It’s an impressive place.

[@TakingOff]

Love these history videos. Keep 'em coming!!

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx Dan. Still feeling my way thru this youtube thing. My plane has been away for the last 6 weeks so I wanted to make something interesting.

[@AbandonedandForgottenPlaces]

“Gly”: I like your editing style and camera placement for various scenes. The background music and voiceovers really help set the mood and tell the story. Good job!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to make.

[@prissypants2336]

Thanks for for the sharing your amazing adventures

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it!

[@thetoolmat8632]

Fascinating real-life actually happened story! - for some reason I think they should build an enclosure over his Cabin to protect it from the elements and humans that could care less.

[@westcoastpilot]

I really like this video. I also like that most of your other videos are curated through the lens of aviation. Hope you will continue to combine this kind of content with aviation once your plane is back

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx for the feedback. I really enjoy these kinds of stories and I just wanted to make something while my plane is unavailable. I know it's likely a turnoff to many who just want to see airplane videos but I'm still feeling my way thru this youtube thing and trying to figure out a good combination of what I like to make alongside what viewers want to watch.

[@brandonknight7240]

@@Wolficorntv i think he was searching for gold probably thinking he would increase his chances the deeper he went

[@smokeyb1669]

Great story you told the story well. I spend a lot of time out there but never heard this story. Thank you

[@Wolficorntv]

If you're ever in the area I recommend checking it out. High clearance vehicle recommended but not required to reach the tunnel.

[@wallywest9257]

Some people think he wasted his life digging that tunnel. But I wonder how many people today will go through their lives working in an office, or factory, chasing superficial dreams that they'll never accomplish until the day they die. Sure they might eventually buy that boat, or car that they dreamed of, and be happy for awhile. But then it all becomes meaningless when they die, leaving nothing behind but perhaps a little bit of money. At least Schmidt left behind a tunnel that will stand for generations, and will always be kinda mysterious. He left behind a better legacy than most people will.

[@johnsagar1152]

He wasted his life like you,your both a couple of losers😂

[@ponygirlusa]

Fascinating, thank you!

[@cv41vf151]

Very interesting. Thanks for taking the time to make this. Stay safe.

[@Wolficorntv]

thx Terry

[@flywiththeguys]

Bryan, you make a great story teller. That was fun.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx Carl. I have to admit, making these kinds of videos is fun. They require alot of research and planning but it's a process I (usually) enjoy.

[@alexkulka8578]

The man surely did not procrastinate!! Crazy Kraut!!

[@stefanschleps8758]

Stimpt! Verrückt stark.

[@homertalk]

That was AWESOME! Great Production.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx! That was a fun one to make, despite no airplane involved.

[@honda116969]

Wow! That's a trip! Nice exploring dude

[@projekt6_official]

Added to my "places to visit" map. Awesome video. Thanks for sharing!

[@Wolficorntv]

definitely worth checking out

[@flightlevel1803]

Wonderful video, thanks for sharing. I would have made it about 10' in, said "NOPE!" and turned around.

[@Wolficorntv]

ha...my GF said the same thing.

[@24justinhunter]

Really love this! Need more like this!

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx. I like these types of strange true stories

[@sofiafelixsmith7405]

OMG, Kudos on your tolerance for dark and cramped spaces. Freaking out just by watching. 6 mins in and kinda anxious.

[@Wolficorntv]

haha...I'll have to take you there one day if you guys ever come up here!

[@GeezerGeekPilot]

Bryan, OK, I was nervous as hell just watching you hundreds of meters into the cave... and then you mentioned an earthquake!! Very interesting adventure, but not for this claustrophobe. Thanks for posting. Wayne (DA40, KSBA)

[@Wolficorntv]

I figure if Burro spent 32 years in there, an hour or two wasn't gonna hurt me :)

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

When OCD becomes OMG. Amazing. Great video!

[@Wolficorntv]

Hahaha

[@rafaojeda5808]

Awesome video! Love the Jeep, and more so blindfolded ;) Keep it up.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx Rafa!

[@soniaynclan9079]

What a great video a great story teller. Thank you for making this video. I wonder how he survived, if he was spending all his time doing this how did he support himself? Any chance he ever found gold? We'll never know. Great story, great touch visiting his grave. How long would you say it took to walk through the tunnel?

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it Sonia. I've read he would sometimes seasonally work as a farmhand to make some money, otherwise he was living in that little cabin. Anyone can visit the tunnel...it's located on BLM land. It takes maybe about 20 minutes to walk to the other side.

[@soflaav8r]

Great video. Definitely would not have been comfortable walking through that tunnel!

[@dutchygirl]

Fascinating story, but I'd rather see you fly! Again great editing and narrating and you proved there is light at the end of Burro's tunnel. It was breath taking ;-)

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx Dutchy and I hear ya...I wanna get back to flying videos. My plane has been in line to get an annual for 6 weeks up in Northern California!!! Hopefully I'll have her back soon.

[@dutchygirl]

@@Wolficorntv That must be the best annual ever. I hope to see you back up soon. In the meanwhile looking forward to more of these kind of fascinating stories!

[@Wolficorntv]

@@dutchygirl dude...I wish. He’s just been too busy to do it :(

[@dutchygirl]

@@WolficorntvI feel ya! It must be frustrating, having a plane and not able to have fun with it. I haven´t flown in almost 8 weeks because dual instruction is prohibited overhere till heaven knows when.. Hope that guy speeds some things up and you´ll get some good news soon!

[@Wolficorntv]

@@dutchygirl I have to keep reminding myself....first world problem :)

[@motoknivesandgunsbyjt]

Great video

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it!

[@dennisd7292]

Well done

[@PaperPilotJack]

Great story telling buddy!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@muhammadayyaz6222]

incredible story

[@flyingadventuresab]

Very nicely done! Enjoyable

[@Wolficorntv]

thx Tom!

[@ruthd3956]

I enjoyed that very much. Thank you. I wonder if he ever told anyone why.....

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it Ruth. If he did...it hasn't become public knowledge.

[@jasonchipkin]

What's the FAR oxygen requirements for tunneling?? Cool vid 👏🥸

[@Wolficorntv]

I felt like I needed a oxygen mask at times b/c of the dust, LOL.

[@kentmiller6924]

Very well done!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it!

[@tonyv1796]

fascinating.

[@inlonging]

Well done. I am not interested in planes whatsoever but this was so well done here I am, now subscribing 😂 a Californian so maybe there will continue to be overlap in my interests and your videos. Thanks!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it. While most of my videos have my airplane in it...you will find in some of them that the focus of the video is about something else. In fact, that's kind of what I want to do with videos that I make moving forward. I would suggest checking out my videos about Mt St Helens, the San Andreas fault and the London Bridge....all in the "Learning Adventures" playlist on my channel main page.

[@inlonging]

@@Wolficorntv ill add to my watch list, thank you

[@danielpinsky7880]

Cool vid, but I'm missing the Tiger!! More flying vids plz!!!

[@Wolficorntv]

You and me both!! It's been sitting in NorCal waiting to get it's annual done for about 6 weeks. Hopefully I'll get it back soon!!

[@angelicagamboa7562]

he is full of determination

[@Wolficorntv]

Agreed!

[@nemadjihermit]

He knew someday he’d be a KZbin star if he just kept digging.

[@SilentKnight43]

Fascinating story. I'm amazed there wasn't a lineup of tourists trodding through the tunnel. Seems like everything online these days gets exploited and generates troves of people to visit.

[@Wolficorntv]

I did run into a couple when I was there. It's a bit out of the way plus the semi-rough dirt road to get there probably keeps many people away.

[@sofiafelixsmith7405]

Cool vid!

[@davidduganne5939]

That part of the desert is fascinating. Have you been to the X-15 crash site memorial? I enjoyed this very much.

[@Wolficorntv]

Yeah it's an interesting area for sure. I had never heard of that. Just looked it up. Very cool. That area has an amazing aviation/aerospace history.

[@edfeten4724]

Yeah several other crash sites are out there, like the B1 bomber, and a Valkyrie bomber, and some others that I can't remember. Back in 1984 I worked for a company that filmed a remotely piloted Boeing 720B crash into a dry lake bed at Edwards AFB. The FAA was testing a fuel additive. The test was called the "Controlled Impact Demonstration" or "Crash In the Desert".

[@gwoodtube]

I wonder how many candles or torches or whatever he used

[@josephbarnes7217]

Have you been out to the X-15 crash site an memorial near by. It’s a hell of a story too.

[@Wolficorntv]

You're the 2nd to mention that. I will have to check it out. Thx!

[@iamherenow4642]

That man did I not know the meaning of let it go

[@flyer16612]

Interesting story. How long would you say it took you to walk thru it? Do records show him becoming wealthy from any mining or did he just spend a lifetime digging?

[@Wolficorntv]

It takes about 20 minutes to go thru. He left the tunnel soon after finishing and lived out his days in nearby desert towns. I haven't read anything that mentions he ever acquired any wealth, but there are of course always rumors that he hid a stash of gold somewhere and all that kind of stuff.

[@brandonknight7240]

What would be cool is carving out large rooms to live in about 75 or 100 foot inside

[@Pilot_Dad_Adventures]

Fascinating. Is the tunnel a state park, open to the public?

[@Wolficorntv]

it's on BLM land. Anybody can go, but a high-clearance vehicle is the preferred method.

[@Pilot_Dad_Adventures]

@@Wolficorntv Thanks! Love your videos!

[@stuartschmidt2748]

I am pretty sure this is my great grandfather our family as been in gold mining business for years.

[@Wolficorntv]

That would be cool if you can verify!

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

he probably realised it was folly half way through but was committed to the job…when he should’ve just been committed.

[@liontigar7135]

I want to visit where is this tunnel??

[@MikeBrown-ex9nh]

So many questions. Where did he get food and water? What happened to all the rock he took out of there? How did he support himself?

[@Wolficorntv]

As far as how he supported himself...he was notoriously frugal, but also sometimes took ranching jobs to make some money.

[@dancurtis461]

I am wondering how he sustained himself all those years. How did he buy food and supplies?

[@Wolficorntv]

Good question. Perhaps he rode his burros into town.

[@lovetofly32]

I never heard of this before till I saw a clip on Instagram. That is so bizarre and insane. Why would he pick such a spot!? He could've easily calculated where it would come out the other side! He had to know it was pointless! If he needed to get to or haul something to the other side so bad it'd been a million times easier and faster to just use his donkeys and hike over the hill! Shit. He didn't even gain anything!

[@Wolficorntv]

Crazy story, right? My feeling is that he just became obsessed with it, regardless of its purpose.

[@ricardolali5981]

O que ele fez foi a obra mais fantástica feita por um único homem, e que ele " inteligente Schmidt " será lembrado por séculos!!!!

[@PeterShaw-ne1yq]

He had a sense of purpose🤔

[@quocnguyen5971]

The original Forest Gump

[@cyprianskiba8768]

Was it hard breathing in there?

[@Wolficorntv]

it was pretty dusty plus I was hauling around a heavy backpack with all my camera gear.

[@beepee9095]

Legend has it he was rich as he'll after he finished

[@rossanctuary5238]

"A pickaxe"? Wow

[@Wolficorntv]

crazy right?

[@JustPlaneSilly]

6:13 is when my panic attack started

[@Wolficorntv]

yeah my GF freaked when she saw the footage. She is quite claustrophobic.

[@phil_p]

I wonder if, rather than being crazy, perhaps he was autistic - and once he’d decided to do it he just couldn’t (or didn’t want to) stop.

[@Wolficorntv]

That's an interesting thought.

[@jhowesgootube106]

Tunnel at the end of the light.

[@garybednarz]

Pretty dang tall for a tunnel

[@janicefoehner3988]

I wonder if he wondered where the 32 years went? Weird stuff, like anyone's life tho he probably didn't plan it that way. Namaste

[@z3reviews]

imagine how much it would annoy him seeying it done with a machine now

[@bingmow]

I wonder if you can approach nat geo or some channel to support and broadcast your stories

[@Wolficorntv]

That would be great, right? I actually work in film/tv world as an editor. Who knows...maybe one of these days the planets align and I can grow this into something larger.

[@FYahooo]

Half the time they say the tunnel was finish then they say it was not?? Did he or not?

[@stefanschleps8758]

Some time's the labor is the reason. Austerity doesn't pay the bills, but paves the way to Heaven.

[@CBeard849]

"I can't help but think what Burro Schmidt must have thought when he popped out of this hole...to this view". I know exactly what he thought.....he wipe his face, scratched his butt and said to himself...."Well shit.....now what?"

[@U4Eye]

No lights or air inside, and how did he survive with no job?

[@Wolficorntv]

I read that he would occasionally work seasonally as a ranch hand at some farms for income

[@apemancommeth8087]

Clearly he enjoys the solitude of a solitary lifestyle!

[@MrEbug68]

you could have shown the plaque. lol

[@ShowtimeSal]

The place the creatures never made it to on the road to e3...

[@parley3797]

A man needs his purpose. Can the backstory be learned?

[@DG-wu7ke]

The thing is he will be remembered for finishing a seemingly impossible feat. A bit nutty maybe but the Russians dug a hole straight down for more than 28yrs.

[@dfelixrx7]

🥜 in a nutshell Wasted 32 years of his life

[@Wolficorntv]

Sometimes I’ve thought the same. Other times, I’m impressed that he said F’ it, I’m gonna finish this tunnel! Either way, we’re still talking about him 100 years later.

[@prissypants2336]

Creepy

[@cristobalcardona5592]

Legacy of what????

[@gwoodtube]

Would you walk it in complete darkness

[@Wolficorntv]

the entire thing? No...you would come out the other side with scrapes and cuts from all the rocks you ran into!

[@geekgeek3353]

This is beyond my imagination...what kind man would do this! 中国古代有愚公移山的传说，但这个是真的！

[@larryhall7998]

No Schmidt!!!

[@brandonknight7240]

Can anyone visit the tunnel?

[@Wolficorntv]

yes...it's located on BLM land. Public access.

[@TherebyAir]

When you walk out the tunnel 😂😂😂

[@Wolficorntv]

Channeling my inner Joe Pesci from Goodfellas..."Funny? Funny how?" LOL

[@privatesouthafrica1112]

Was no reason he spent 32 years on it ... He just dug himself into a hole 🙈

[@icicestparisblankokcity93]

C'est se tunnel qui a dans gta v

[@jeisondeleon1013]

Good Story but You should be silent at the funeral

[@Wolficorntv]

Missed the funeral by 70 years

[@jeremiahderosas9355]

FIRST COMMENT! #1

[@Wolficorntv]

woohooo! LOL

[@norrinradd9554]

Looks like more than 190 feet man

[@Wolficorntv]

???

[@norrinradd9554]

@@Wolficorntv didn't you say 2 per day

[@Wolficorntv]

@@norrinradd9554 Ah...I had no idea what you were referring to. It's been a couple years since I made this but I think my rudimentary calculations went something like this: Total length: approx .5 mile (2,640 ft). 2,640 /32 years = 82.5 ft/yr...the equivalent of 990 inches. 990 inches / 365 = 2.71 inches/day.