Donner Pass is on Interstate 80 between Reno and Sacramento. The impressive rockwork is the old railroad grade, built by Chinese workers with construction finalized in 1868. From the look of the rock in the surroundings, they collected a lot of the rock they used from the wall locally.
This area is just a few miles from Reno … if you drive in the right direction. Driving in the ‘wrong’ direction will put you through miles of sprawl.
This is a Regal Horned Lizard that I was lucky enough to spot along the roadway when it moved. Otherwise, it is so wonderfully camouflaged to blend in with the surrounding surface, I probably would have missed it.