Sandpoint Artist Lost In Yosemite Stephen Lyman Hasn’t Been Seen Since Wednesday

Sandpoint resident and nationally known nature artist Stephen Lyman was reported missing in Yosemite National Park Friday.

His vehicle was found two days ago in an area where he liked to hike.

Lyman, 38, was last seen Wednesday at the park’s research library, spokeswoman Nikyra Calcagno said. His vehicle was in Yosemite Valley near Cathedral Rocks, where Lyman liked to backpack because of his interest in peregrine falcons that roost in that area.

A ranger reported hearing a cry for help in that area Thursday but was unable to find anyone.

Lyman’s wife, Andrea, waited anxiously at her Sandpoint home for any word from searchers scouring the park for her husband.

“I have a sense that he is injured and very cold,” she said. “I am very worried.”

It snowed at Yosemite in the central Sierra Nevada on Wednesday, and overnight temperatures have been in the 30s, rangers said.

Lyman is an experienced outdoorsman and has been backpacking since his high school days.

Andrea Lyman said that was little comfort.

“Yes, he has survival skills, but if you are injured there are things you can’t do - like build a debris hut, make shelter,” she said. “If he was able to walk out, he would have.”

Yosemite is one of Lyman’s favorite getaways. This was his 41st trip to the area since he first discovered it as a student in California.

“Probably half of my paintings are inspired from the Yosemite region,” Lyman said in an interview with The Spokesman-Review shortly before leaving for Yosemite.

“It’s hard to figure out. I’m just attracted to that place; I’m connected to that spot.”

Calcagno said Lyman missed an interview scheduled in Sacramento on Thursday regarding a book of his art published last year. The book, titled “Into the Wilderness, An Artist’s Journey,” included copies of Lyman’s paintings and photographs from Yosemite, Alaska, Canada and North Idaho.

Lyman also missed a Sierra Club benefit he planned to attend in Sacramento Thursday night.

A 60-person search effort included ground teams, dog teams and a helicopter crew, Calcagno said.

Lyman was raised in North Idaho and attended the University of Idaho before studying at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. He is known for paintings of campfires reflecting a lake or river.

U.S. Art Magazine listed Lyman at No. 4 this year in its annual ranking of most popular limited-edition print artist in the country. Lyman paints at a studio near his Sandpoint home. He also has a gallery in downtown Sandpoint which is co-owned by his sister, Shauna, and friend Jeff Poole. Lyman’s work is in about 800 galleries across the United States, Canada and Great Britain.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo Map of the area.