Bingham Mine Overlook
Located at an elevation of 2.748m (9,015ft) above the sea level, in Tooele County in the U.S. state of Utah, Bingham Mine Overlook offers stunning 360 degree views. The average gradient is 9.35%.
The road the overlook is gravel and bumpy. The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting) and has not guard rails. The drive is filled with beautiful mountain scenery and the occasional wildlife sighting. The mine is the largest manmade whole on earth and the richest copper mine in history. Founded in 1903, it is an open-pit mining excavation and the world’s largest man-made excavation on the planet. Be careful while driving up as there are sharp turns and other cars or bikers sometimes shoot up or down the road. The road is very steep. Starting from Butterfield Canyon Road the ascent is 4.02km (2.5 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 374 meters. The average gradient is 9.35%.
The road to the overlook is not easy, though. Up, down, right, left all the time. It’s called Copper Pit Overlook Road. Driving at night, or in poor visibility, is not recommended for drivers unfamiliar with the road. You can make it there with a regular compact car and no all-wheel drive is necessary when you go during a nice day. There are many blind spots on the way, so be extra careful there and take your time. The summit offers a breathtaking 360 degree view of northern Utah, with nearly 80% of Utah's population visible on a clear day.