We will meet at 9:00 AM at the CVS (formerly Rite Aid) in Ashland and make our way into the Monument from there.

Explore a little-known area of the Siskiyou Cascade National Monument while applying some handy outdoor photography skills for smartphones! Join Artist-in-Residence, Aubrey Laughlin, and Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument for a Saturday exploration of the monument through the lens of your smartphone.

We will explore Surveyor Mountain in the northeast portion of the Siskiyou Cascade National Monument. This is a heavily forested, lesser-trafficked section of the monument that features old-growth fir forests, a diverse array of birds, and views of the surrounding Cascade mountains. Consider this more of a meander (pace-wise) than a hike, as the priority will be on taking smartphone photos with a focus on composition, setting, light, focus, foreground/background elements, and leading lines. We will practice photography from a variety of angles and vintage points with subjects ranging from bugs, to wildflowers, to landscape views.

Register for the Friday Nigh Talk HERE.

Aubrey Laughlin is a multidisciplinary artist whose work weaves together poetry, nonfiction, and photography with a deep reverence for the natural world and the emotional landscapes it reflects. Her creative practice is rooted in observation—of ecosystems, memory, and the quiet intersections between the human and the spiritual. As a photographer, Aubrey has been widely published across literary journals, travel publications, and environmental organizations. Her images—ranging from intimate natural details to expansive landscapes—have appeared in outlets such as Fodor’s Travel, Matador Network, WhereTraveler, Terrain.org, and the Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Newsletter. Her visual work reflects a consistent attentiveness to light, texture, and place, often highlighting the sacredness of everyday environments.

This program is presented in partnership with the Conservation Lands Foundation through their Art & Advocacy Program.

The Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument’s mission is to support the protection, restoration and conservation of the Monument through service, advocacy and education. Our Hike and Learn programs are designed to introduce the public to different topics and locations within the Monument. Hike and Learns are co-created with local scientists, historians, artists, students, and more.