In 1861, miner Galen Clark learns he has consumption and decides to travel west in his final months. During the journey, he meets naturalist John Muir, who encourages him to live. Along with Native American Teneiya, Galen builds a cabin and settles with his daughter Kathleen. When loggers threaten to destroy their community and the forest, Galen joins forces with Muir and Teneiya to advocate for the area's preservation as Yosemite Park.