California's Cathedrals
- Lynne Krizik
- Dec 30, 2025
- 2 min read
William "Bill" Stoughtly wiped the sweat from his brow as he trudged what he guessed to be his sixth mile through the uninviting terrain. He wasn't poetic by any stretch of the imagination, but even he couldn't help reflecting that the only inviting thing about this uncharted valley was the scenery. It's part of what lured him west in the first place, the other being the siren's call of gold, which meant fortune and, in the long run, an easier life. It's what all men wanted who traversed from the safety of the east to take their chances at striking fortune in lesser-known territory, but not all would succeed. Bill, not entirely sure of his bearings, reached a blistered, dirt-covered hand into his satchel to retrieve a compass. When he fled on horseback from his back-stabbing ex-partner not two days ago, he was sure glad the satchel was tied to the saddle horn or he'd be in a worse pickle than he already was.
Famous for some of the world's largest granite faces, Yosemite is best seen during sunrise or sunset. If you're okay with loading your gear in the dark and coating up for the chilly air of October, sunrise images are just the thing for you (take your tripod since the light begins very low!) Also, be sure not to end up with a full grown bear between you and the path to your car. Yes, yours truly nearly did that!
Moving storm clouds (above) are not only dramatic, they can provide beams of sunlight that paint the landscape. You need to photograph quickly, as the light from moving clouds changes every few seconds and that perfect image you're chasing could easily become a missed opportunity.
At sunset (above), a fairly large group of photographers and tripods filled this location. No one was talking, and everyone was quietly checking their settings. Finally, the sunset kissed Half Dome from the west and the sound of clicking cameras filled the air.
If you happen to find yourself near the east entrance to Yosemite National Park, consider also visiting Bodie State Historic Park. A good-sized ghost town which sprang up in the gold mining era is partially preserved and makes great history and memories. In 1877, the town enjoyed about 8,000 residents until about 1881 when the gold ran out and the people left.
Definitely worth seeing, and even more fun to photograph! Some things never truly fade away.
Dusk folded over the land and the weary ex-trapper was forced to make camp. He patted his horse and began unloading his satchel which, given the distance traveled, felt like a herculean task. He'd been trapping most of his life, and when the trade ceased being profitable enough, he'd turned his sights to California. He wasn't as familiar with this new and rugged country as he was the sweeping plains to the east, but trapper were no strangers to uncharted territory, and Heaven knows he'd been in worse predicaments than this.
"Tomorrow," he murmured to his horse as he tossed the satchel to the ground, "we make for Bodie."
I had forgotten how beautiful Yosemite National Park truly is and seeing it through a talented photographer's eyes is even better than my memory. Approaching this story from a historical perspective gives the images a depth of knowledge and experience very different from our camping trips so many years ago. The history of Yosemite Valley was beautifully honored and reflects all of those courageous souls that braved a new and unfamiliar land full of breathtaking beauty.