B/W Film Advice Needed

[Joseph Tainter]

I need to photograph, in black-and-white, some landscapes in southeast 
Utah with prehistoric ruins in them. The vegetation will be mainly sage 
(very pale green) and junipers (darker green). The last time I shot b/w 
was about 5 years ago. I believe it was Tmax 400, and I found it 
disappointing. It was grainy, and I had thought that these films were 
supposed to have less grain. I've never tried the chromogenic b/w films.

So what do b/w shooters recommend for a low-grain landscape film with 
good tonal range?

I plan to use a yellow filter as a compromise, to lighten the vegetation 
just a bit and darken the sky just a bit. If I need to I'll use a split 
nd filter to darken the sky further. Other filter recommendations welcome.

Thanks,

Joe