Honestly, skip the kit lens. For those Rockies shots, snag a Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM. It's sharp, super wide, and well within your budget.

If you want the absolute sharpest landscapes without breaking the bank, the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens is a hidden gem. I took this on a backpacking trip through the Sierras back in 2018 and the results were honestly stunning for the price. Because it is a prime lens, it is way sharper than those cheap zooms. Quick tip for your trip: stop it down to f/8 or f/11 to keep the whole mountain range in focus. Also, dont forget to use a sturdy tripod or rest the camera on a rock, because even a tiny bit of shake ruins the detail on those far-away peaks. Honestly, just keep your ISO low and use a 2-second timer so you dont vibrate the camera when pressing the button. Youll be happy with the results.

Stumbled upon this thread while grabbing my gear for the weekend. Honestly, that 10-18mm is a solid pick, but keep in mind that wide-angle lenses can be tricky if you aren't careful with your horizon lines. I remember my first trip to the mountains, I was so focused on getting everything in the frame that my shots looked warped. My setup has been a Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM for a while now because it is just super reliable and easy to carry. It is basically a pancake lens, which helps with keeping your bag light. Just a quick tip: use a tripod and make sure your aperture is set around f/8 or f/11 for the best results across the frame. You'll be happy with the sharpness if you just slow down a bit.