So what is the most non-scenic scenic overlook you have come across? This was inspired over the discussion of whether or not US 56 in KS is scenic or not.
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I'm sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I've encountered.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a "scenic outlook" over some cornfields somewhere here in the Midwest, but if there is one, that get's the nomination from me.
Quote from: SkyPesos on April 06, 2021, 11:59:37 AM
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a "scenic outlook" over some cornfields somewhere here in the Midwest, but if there is one, that get's the nomination from me.
There are a few, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're non-scenic.
See my quote below from the "What do you count/not count when clinching" thread:
Quote from: webny99 on March 08, 2021, 09:47:04 PM
... what immediately came to mind was this "scenic overlook" (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8385811,-101.7759781,3a,90y,33.37h,91.38t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipON8_wv5K6d12LOnl8WiDNX0tgNPwSasE2cOTc!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipON8_wv5K6d12LOnl8WiDNX0tgNPwSasE2cOTc%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya252-ro0-fo100!7i7680!8i3840) on I-90 in South Dakota. But not in a bad way, though - in fact, in a great way: When visiting the Badlands a few years ago, we happened to be passing right by that spot just as the sun was coming up, before 5 AM on a July morning. It couldn't have been a more perfect spot to pull in and watch the sunrise. It was one of the most unique and beautiful sunrises I've ever witnessed, in a part of the country I'd never been before, and an atmosphere I'll never forget, with miles and miles of endless prairie and hay bales and grazing bison spread out before us. I decided right then and there never to snub a "scenic overlook" again, and I hope many more first-time visitors to South Dakota get to experience exactly what we did.
The two scenic overlooks on the GW Parkway in Virginia are ones that I think were scenic once upon a time 30+ years ago but are no longer particularly scenic because the trees have grown so much that there isn't really all that much of a view anymore, except perhaps in winter when there are no leaves (I suppose whether the lack of leaves reduces the scenic value is a matter of personal opinion).
I-80 through the Great Salt Lake in Utah has this "scenic overlook" at its eastbound rest area:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZfzMNtSaJmP1W2LA6
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 12:21:44 PM
I-80 through the Great Salt Lake in Utah has this "scenic overlook" at its eastbound rest area:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZfzMNtSaJmP1W2LA6
Isn't that primarily a rest area?
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 12:22:29 PM
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 12:21:44 PM
I-80 through the Great Salt Lake in Utah has this "scenic overlook" at its eastbound rest area:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZfzMNtSaJmP1W2LA6
Isn't that primarily a rest area?
It is. But I find it funny how they chose to build this entire viewing tower when there is literally nothing to see for miles.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 08:20:31 AM
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I'm sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I've encountered.
There's another one north of there closer to Crows Landing and in my opinion that one is almost just as dull. There's one southbound closer to CA-140 which isn't bad. I-5 between I-580 and CA-152 is designated as a state scenic highway.
There was a lot of cooperation between the Department of Water Resources and the old Division of Highways when the California Aqueduct was built. Some of the spoils from the excavation of the aqueduct were used as fill for the construction of I-5. The southbound vista point near CA-140 is intended to showcase the aqueduct. And I am certain that cooperation is also why that vista point near CA-165 at Dos Amigos Pumping Plant also exists.
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 06, 2021, 12:18:09 PM
The two scenic overlooks on the GW Parkway in Virginia are ones that I think were scenic once upon a time 30+ years ago but are no longer particularly scenic because the trees have grown so much that there isn't really all that much of a view anymore, except perhaps in winter when there are no leaves (I suppose whether the lack of leaves reduces the scenic value is a matter of personal opinion).
Somewhere I have a photo of an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway that says "Shenandoah Valley scenic overlook" but it's just trees.
I-270 (MD) north has an overlook where the highway drops into the Frederick Valley, but IMHO the view is better from I-270 itself as a lot of the view from the parking lot is blocked by trees.
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 12:27:25 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 12:22:29 PM
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 12:21:44 PM
I-80 through the Great Salt Lake in Utah has this "scenic overlook" at its eastbound rest area:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZfzMNtSaJmP1W2LA6
Isn't that primarily a rest area?
It is. But I find it funny how they chose to build this entire viewing tower when there is literally nothing to see for miles.
Not to mention the tower should be turned 180 degrees. As built, any view is blocked by the trucks in the parking lot.
Quote from: SkyPesos on April 06, 2021, 11:59:37 AM
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a "scenic outlook" over some cornfields somewhere here in the Midwest, but if there is one, that get's the nomination from me.
I can't think of a single place in Indiana that is signed as a scenic outlook or overlook. There is one spot I'm aware of in Floyd County on a county road that would qualify except that there's no place to get out of the car to enjoy the view.
Quote from: wanderer2575 on April 06, 2021, 01:08:34 PM
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 12:27:25 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 12:22:29 PM
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 12:21:44 PM
I-80 through the Great Salt Lake in Utah has this "scenic overlook" at its eastbound rest area:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZfzMNtSaJmP1W2LA6
Isn't that primarily a rest area?
It is. But I find it funny how they chose to build this entire viewing tower when there is literally nothing to see for miles.
Not to mention the tower should be turned 180 degrees. As built, any view is blocked by the trucks in the parking lot.
Or people could just walk around to the other side of it?
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 08:20:31 AM
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I'm sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I've encountered.
Could you point out where it is. I ask because I'm one of those people who finds vast expanses of plains to be awe-inspiring and not boring, and I'm wondering what I will think about this.
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 12:21:44 PM
I-80 through the Great Salt Lake in Utah has this "scenic overlook" at its eastbound rest area:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZfzMNtSaJmP1W2LA6
I could see this being quite interesting if you are not familiar with Utah.
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 01:29:39 PM
Quote from: wanderer2575 on April 06, 2021, 01:08:34 PM
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 12:27:25 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 12:22:29 PM
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 12:21:44 PM
I-80 through the Great Salt Lake in Utah has this "scenic overlook" at its eastbound rest area:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZfzMNtSaJmP1W2LA6
Isn't that primarily a rest area?
It is. But I find it funny how they chose to build this entire viewing tower when there is literally nothing to see for miles.
Not to mention the tower should be turned 180 degrees. As built, any view is blocked by the trucks in the parking lot.
Or people could just walk around to the other side of it?
No need to be snarky. I didn't initially see from the photo angle that the viewing platform wraps around to the ramp side.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 06, 2021, 02:13:06 PM
I could see this being quite interesting if you are not familiar with Utah.
I was thinking that maybe the emptiness
is the view. There's so little things to see for such a long distance that it actually goes full circle and becomes interesting instead.
Quote from: wanderer2575 on April 06, 2021, 02:19:26 PM
No need to be snarky. I didn't initially see from the photo angle that the viewing platform wraps around to the ramp side.
It's not snarky if you're the one who didn't notice something at first. Not placing any blame, but just saying.
I-205 has one just north of West Linn, OR, exit 10.
On a clear day, it's pretty, but most of the time all you can see are homeless campers and the ugly abandoned mills by Willamette Falls
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 01:39:40 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 08:20:31 AM
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I'm sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I've encountered.
Could you point out where it is. I ask because I'm one of those people who finds vast expanses of plains to be awe-inspiring and not boring, and I'm wondering what I will think about this.
Pretty much where I described it, north of the CA 165 exit on the northbound lanes of I-5. As for endless plains you aren't likely to see much given they are usually covered in Tule Fog or summer time crop dust or smoke.
Quote from: jrouse on April 06, 2021, 12:32:16 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 08:20:31 AM
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I'm sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I've encountered.
There's another one north of there closer to Crows Landing and in my opinion that one is almost just as dull. There's one southbound closer to CA-140 which isn't bad. I-5 between I-580 and CA-152 is designated as a state scenic highway.
There was a lot of cooperation between the Department of Water Resources and the old Division of Highways when the California Aqueduct was built. Some of the spoils from the excavation of the aqueduct were used as fill for the construction of I-5.
The gist I always got was that the State was really proud of those projects (along with the San Luis Reservoir) and wanted to show off the engineering feats they accomplished. I can see past tense how maybe a half century ago seeing something like a reservoir and aqueduct was probably a lot more impressive than it would be today. CA 152 kinda/sorta holds up with that Scenic designation but I-5 north to I-580 doesn't.
Of the same era is the overlooks on CA 49 between Oakhurst and Mariposa. One of them overlooks the East Fork Chowchilla Bridge which really isn't all that exciting given it has a generic modern design. The overlook is overgrown and there is a plaque that has been long removed which makes me question why it is still maintained as an overlook. There is another up the road near Bootjack and I'm not ever sure what it is supposed to be an overlook of.
Already posted in another thread, but...
Feed Yard Scenic Overlook (https://goo.gl/maps/x2CZVFfJh6y15uZK7)
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 03:44:43 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 01:39:40 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 08:20:31 AM
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I’m sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I’ve encountered.
Could you point out where it is. I ask because I'm one of those people who finds vast expanses of plains to be awe-inspiring and not boring, and I'm wondering what I will think about this.
Pretty much where I described it, north of the CA 165 exit on the northbound lanes of I-5. As for endless plains you aren’t likely to see much given they are usually covered in Tule Fog or summer time crop dust or smoke.
Is it this (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4269522,-121.1550478,1302m/data=!3m1!1e3)? I ask because it is a good ways north of 165.
I suppose it could also be this (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.0686939,-120.9807771,327m/data=!3m1!1e3), but it does not look like it's ever been an "official" overlook.
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 05:12:02 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 03:44:43 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 01:39:40 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 08:20:31 AM
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I'm sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I've encountered.
Could you point out where it is. I ask because I'm one of those people who finds vast expanses of plains to be awe-inspiring and not boring, and I'm wondering what I will think about this.
Pretty much where I described it, north of the CA 165 exit on the northbound lanes of I-5. As for endless plains you aren't likely to see much given they are usually covered in Tule Fog or summer time crop dust or smoke.
Is it this (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4269522,-121.1550478,1302m/data=!3m1!1e3)? I ask because it is a good ways north of 165.
I suppose it could also be this (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.0686939,-120.9807771,327m/data=!3m1!1e3), but it does not look like it's ever been an "official" overlook.
Way closer to CA 165. Here is a photo I took of the overlook once:
https://flic.kr/p/EotmmQ
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 06:05:15 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 05:12:02 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 03:44:43 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 01:39:40 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 08:20:31 AM
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I'm sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I've encountered.
Could you point out where it is. I ask because I'm one of those people who finds vast expanses of plains to be awe-inspiring and not boring, and I'm wondering what I will think about this.
Pretty much where I described it, north of the CA 165 exit on the northbound lanes of I-5. As for endless plains you aren't likely to see much given they are usually covered in Tule Fog or summer time crop dust or smoke.
Is it this (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4269522,-121.1550478,1302m/data=!3m1!1e3)? I ask because it is a good ways north of 165.
I suppose it could also be this (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.0686939,-120.9807771,327m/data=!3m1!1e3), but it does not look like it's ever been an "official" overlook.
Way closer to CA 165. Here is a photo I took of the overlook once:
https://flic.kr/p/EotmmQ
It must be here (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.9191211,-120.827216,618m/data=!3m1!1e3) then, which is actually south of 165. But getting back to the main discussion, yeah, I would find this view to be interesting enough to stop at.
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 05:12:02 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 03:44:43 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 01:39:40 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 08:20:31 AM
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I'm sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I've encountered.
Could you point out where it is. I ask because I'm one of those people who finds vast expanses of plains to be awe-inspiring and not boring, and I'm wondering what I will think about this.
Pretty much where I described it, north of the CA 165 exit on the northbound lanes of I-5. As for endless plains you aren't likely to see much given they are usually covered in Tule Fog or summer time crop dust or smoke.
Is it this (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4269522,-121.1550478,1302m/data=!3m1!1e3)? I ask because it is a good ways north of 165.
That's the one I referred to in my post that is near Crows Landing.
The one that Max Rockatansky refers to is here:
https://goo.gl/maps/E3XbBrkTKSwNKvad8
Quote from: jrouse on April 06, 2021, 07:18:48 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 05:12:02 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 03:44:43 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on April 06, 2021, 01:39:40 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 06, 2021, 08:20:31 AM
On I-5 north of CA 165 there is an overlook of the California Aqueduct. I'm sure when it opened the builders were very proud, but it probably is the most dull scenic overlook I've encountered.
Could you point out where it is. I ask because I'm one of those people who finds vast expanses of plains to be awe-inspiring and not boring, and I'm wondering what I will think about this.
Pretty much where I described it, north of the CA 165 exit on the northbound lanes of I-5. As for endless plains you aren't likely to see much given they are usually covered in Tule Fog or summer time crop dust or smoke.
Is it this (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4269522,-121.1550478,1302m/data=!3m1!1e3)? I ask because it is a good ways north of 165.
That's the one I referred to in my post that is near Crows Landing.
The one that Max Rockatansky refers to is here:
https://goo.gl/maps/E3XbBrkTKSwNKvad8
Frickety frack. That's actually what I meant. I cut and paste the link, but without changing it. My apologies.
Just recently, I passed the overlook on I-86 eastbound that overlooks a reservoir, complete with the dam, in NY's Southern Tier.
I suppose it has some scenic value, but couldn't help thinking if it as a view of a man-made pond.
Quote from: Rothman on April 06, 2021, 11:58:26 PM
Just recently, I passed the overlook on I-86 eastbound that overlooks a reservoir, complete with the dam, in NY's Southern Tier.
I suppose it has some scenic value, but couldn't help thinking if it as a view of a man-made pond.
To me, a man made lake doesn't really hold a ton of scenic value. About the only reservoir I've been to that I thought bucked that trend was at Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite. That has way more to do with the tainted glacial valley than the reservoir created by the O'Shaughnessy Dam. Granted I can appreciate a piece of engineering but it that isn't really "scenery."
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 02:35:06 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 06, 2021, 02:13:06 PM
I could see this being quite interesting if you are not familiar with Utah.
I was thinking that maybe the emptiness is the view. There's so little things to see for such a long distance that it actually goes full circle and becomes interesting instead.
Exactly. The salt flats are something everyone should see once, and if you've never seen them before, they are fascinating - just white salt as far as the eye can see. If it's rained in the past couple weeks, they will be covered by a few inches of highly reflective water. And if that's the case and it's not too windy, it is impossible to tell where the ground ends and the sky begins, and any mountains in the distance will have a perfect reflection in the water. I have never seen this anywhere else.
That said, if you've seen the salt flats a few times already, the 40-mile dead straight drive between Wendover and Knolls really does wear down on you. There's a reason it's filled with drowsy driving warning signs.
On WA-20 Spur, there's an overlook before Anacortes of a bunch of trees that block the mountains and the oil refinery (which would not be scenic, but at least interesting). Bit of a waste to not have a proper viewpoint there.
There is a "scenic overlook" on I-10, just southeast of Junction, Texas (https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4524679,-99.7261553,997m/data=!3m1!1e3), which offered no real view of anything.
The brush has overgrown any view that I was aware of (there was plenty to see on nearby US 377).
Quote from: formulanone on April 07, 2021, 07:15:51 AM
There is a "scenic overlook" on I-10, just southeast of Junction, Texas (https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4524679,-99.7261553,997m/data=!3m1!1e3), which offered no real view of anything.
The brush has overgrown any view that I was aware of (there was plenty to see on nearby US 377).
It appears that TX 481 was US 83. Wonder why they don't mark it as US 83 Business?
Quote from: US 89 on April 07, 2021, 01:24:21 AM
Quote from: interstatefan990 on April 06, 2021, 02:35:06 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 06, 2021, 02:13:06 PM
I could see this being quite interesting if you are not familiar with Utah.
I was thinking that maybe the emptiness is the view. There's so little things to see for such a long distance that it actually goes full circle and becomes interesting instead.
Exactly. The salt flats are something everyone should see once, and if you've never seen them before, they are fascinating - just white salt as far as the eye can see. If it's rained in the past couple weeks, they will be covered by a few inches of highly reflective water. And if that's the case and it's not too windy, it is impossible to tell where the ground ends and the sky begins, and any mountains in the distance will have a perfect reflection in the water. I have never seen this anywhere else.
That said, if you've seen the salt flats a few times already, the 40-mile dead straight drive between Wendover and Knolls really does wear down on you. There's a reason it's filled with drowsy driving warning signs.
And for what it's worth the Salt Flats are better viewed off of I-80 at the Bonneville Salt Flats Race Track Entrance Exit:
https://flic.kr/p/Sbusvv
I wouldn't hold them out to be the most scenic views ever, but the four scenic turnouts in the Arbuckle Mountains off of I-35 in southern Oklahoma offered a nice respite from most of I-35's rather flat route. They've all closed within the last 3-4 years - not exactly sure why, unless they were known trafficking or cruising stops and couldn't be patrolled properly or something.
Quote from: I-35 on April 07, 2021, 05:33:40 PM
I wouldn't hold them out to be the most scenic views ever, but the four scenic turnouts in the Arbuckle Mountains off of I-35 in southern Oklahoma offered a nice respite from most of I-35's rather flat route. They've all closed within the last 3-4 years - not exactly sure why, unless they were known trafficking or cruising stops and couldn't be patrolled properly or something.
A lot of states are finding rest areas to be boondoggles. Rather shut them down than maintain them.
Quote from: formulanone on April 07, 2021, 07:15:51 AM
There is a "scenic overlook" on I-10, just southeast of Junction, Texas (https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4524679,-99.7261553,997m/data=!3m1!1e3), which offered no real view of anything.
The brush has overgrown any view that I was aware of (there was plenty to see on nearby US 377).
That's not signed as a scenic overlook though, It's signed as a picnic area. Which it is.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on April 07, 2021, 07:04:15 PM
Quote from: formulanone on April 07, 2021, 07:15:51 AM
There is a "scenic overlook" on I-10, just southeast of Junction, Texas (https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4524679,-99.7261553,997m/data=!3m1!1e3), which offered no real view of anything.
The brush has overgrown any view that I was aware of (there was plenty to see on nearby US 377).
That's not signed as a scenic overlook though, It's signed as a picnic area. Which it is.
Eh, I recall a sign mentioning "scenic overlook" in 2011. Maybe that's not the same one.
Quote from: formulanone on April 08, 2021, 07:15:00 AM
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on April 07, 2021, 07:04:15 PM
Quote from: formulanone on April 07, 2021, 07:15:51 AM
There is a "scenic overlook" on I-10, just southeast of Junction, Texas (https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4524679,-99.7261553,997m/data=!3m1!1e3), which offered no real view of anything.
The brush has overgrown any view that I was aware of (there was plenty to see on nearby US 377).
That's not signed as a scenic overlook though, It's signed as a picnic area. Which it is.
Eh, I recall a sign mentioning "scenic overlook" in 2011. Maybe that's not the same one.
The GSVs from 2008 and 2011 show it was still signed as a Picnic Area back then. https://goo.gl/maps/VXVsuw2gQoDny2wt6