Photograph of Cathedral Rocks and Spires with reflections in a pond near the Merced River. This photograph is used in the Native American historical novel, Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya
Tag: Cathedral Rocks
Cathedral Rocks are the magnificent cliffs opposite El Capitan, on the south side of the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. Wonderful views of these spires can be seen from Valley View and Cathedral Rocks Vista.
The Ahwahneechees, who were the original inhabitants of Yosemite Valley, called these rocks Poosenachucka (Poo-sen’a-chu-ka) meaning “large acorn cache”.
In Spring (April/May), a sunrise visit to the Vista will give fabulous opportunities for taking some great photographs. Overflows from the Merced River provide reflections of the Rocks and trees.
At Valley View, there is the chance to photograph El Capitan on the left with the Rocks and Bridalveil Fall on the right. Reflections of both can be captured in the Merced River. Around an hour before sunset, either El Capitan or the Rocks will be suffused with a red or golden glow, depending on the time of year.
They were given the name Cathedral Rocks in 1862 by James Hutchings, a pioneer hotelier in Yosemite Valley, because “they appear like the towers of a Gothic Cathedral”
A sunset view of Valley View, Yosemite Valley, or Ahwahnee as known by the original inhabitants of Yosemite Valley. Ahwahnee is believed to mean “Gaping Mouth”