Historic
Kern County, CA
Approximate location — plotted from published sources, not a site visit, and not a guarantee of access.
Half-mile hand-dug tunnel through solid granite in the El Paso Mountains — one man, pick and dynamite, 1906–1938. NRHP-listed desert oddity overlooking Fremont Valley; bring a flashlight and walk the full bore to a high ledge view.
| Region | Kern County, CA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates (approx.) | 35.4103, -117.8758 |
| Length | 0.5 mi (≈2,500 ft of rock) |
| Builder | William “Burro” Schmidt |
| Era | 1906–1938 |
| Status | NRHP 2003; BLM-managed public land |
| Access | Dirt roads east of CA-14 / Last Chance Canyon area; high-clearance preferred |
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.