u/TexasAstroShooter

The Rio Grande, and Mexico, visible on the right.

The lake is absolutely the highlight of, but tons to see elsewhere too. This is Videa Falls, right off the road.

Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park.

Goal here is really just spend some time seeing the highlights of the Eastern Sierra, mostly along 395. Priorities include driving scenic mountain passes, landscape photography, and light (5mile tops) hiking. Plan is to take a full week+two weekends to get 9 days. Flying to Reno from Texas. Gunning for fall 2027 but plenty flexible.

I’ve been to Lake Tahoe area several times, but only to ski, so I’ve never really been close to the lake or done any hiking.

I realize a day is not enough for Death Valley. I’ll likely make a dedicated trip out there in the future, so just wanted to hit highlights and scout out future stops on this trip.

I’ve spent time in SEKI and Yosemite Valley, but not outside that. Should I try and make it to Hetchy Hetch?

Are Ebbets and Sonora the best passes to drive on the north end?

Unfortunately I don’t recall where this was exactly. Maybe someone recognizes it?

This is a 15 second exposure on the road to the Chisos. The moon and exposure length lighten everything up, but even still a bit of the Milky Way is visible in the sky along with countless stars.

The Visit Utah website has this picture on the Fishlake National Forest page, but I can’t find anything similar on Google Maps.

https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/fishlake-national-forest

Clockwise from the top,

Colorado National Monument

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Million Dollar Highway

San Juan Skyway

Mesa Verde National Park

Hovenweep National Monument

Canyonlands National Park

Arches National Park

UT-SR128 River Road