Cascade Siskiyou Creations: Arts & Advocacy Residency
I had the privilege to be invited by the Friends of the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument (FCSNM) to stay at Willow Witt Ranch and glamp-ground, to explore, learn, create art and then teach a workshop.
This opportunity was sponsored by FCSNM and Conservation Lands.
Map of the Cascade-Siskyou Monument with the area I focused on circled in pink.
My tour began on Friday, May 29, where I met Daniel and Zaynab from FCSNM at the Monument Contact Station next to Greensprings Inn on Highway 66. From there we drove east on Hwy 66 towards Jenny Creek, where they showed me a couple special places.
Beaver Dam in a Turtle Pond near Jenny Creek, Cascade Siskiyou National Monument.
We spotted a few Western Pond Turtles (native species that is at risk) and heard some invasive Bull Frogs (who EAT baby Western Pond Turtles).
We hiked down Jenny Creek a short distance to see some Beaver Dam Analogs that were installed in hopes of slowing the flow of the creek, restoring the meadow and making better habitat for Beavers.
The Friends group works with stakeholders to monitor and support local wildlife.
After getting a great orientation to the monument, I continued over to Willow Witt Ranch, established 1985, which hosts a fabulous Glamp-Ground, which would be home-base for the next four nights.
I unpacked my stuff into the cutest wall tent, set up with a nice bed and wood stove to stay cozy. I made dinner at the Cook House, a community kitchen with everything you could want to make great food. Solar powered!
I hiked up the hill to check out Willow Witt’s Turtle Pond and Spring, then I took a hot shower in the Bath House went to sleep hearing birds. We were treated to a full moon, which rose between the pines.
Willow Witt is located on Shale City Road (off Dead Indian Memorial), which happens to be the road to Grizzly Peak, a spot I’ve hiked since I was a teenager, but never painted from.
Five days of painting might sound like a lot - and in many ways it is! I’m always surprised that driving in the wilderness can take a long time! Places look close on the map, but that’s deceptive. Trying to see everything means you spend all your time driving.
Additionally, I’ve lived in this area most of my life, so I’ve had the opportunity to paint many iconic Monument spots like Hobart Bluff, Pilot Rock and Boccard Point in the Soda Mountain Wilderness.
Grizzly Peak is close to Willow Witt and is a popular and stunning hiking spot. You basically climb up to and then circle around the top of the peak. It has cool & shady spots, warm & rocky outcrops, forests & mountain meadows - so you get to experience a lot of the biodiversity that makes the monument special.
Not only that, there was a wild fire on Grizz in 2002 (we watched from home) and it’s interesting to see how the fire recovery is going.
So, I decided to spend my Arts & Advocacy week focused mostly at Grizzly Peak.
Each day I’d get up, have coffee, breakfast, get dressed and head up to the Grizzly Peak trail head by about 10 am. The first part of the hike is a mile uphill on the cool, northeast side of the mountain.
By the time I got to the top, I would be ready for water, lunch, and would rest and enjoy the view.
Then I’d continue hiking up to the edge of the area where the 2002 fire stopped. I wanted to see the impact of the fire, the recovery in progress, and views the mountains beyond.
This would be the place I’d spend most of my time on Grizz painting. I spent 3 days painting in this location.
On my last day I decided to hike all the way around the Grizzly Peak Loop. I took the opposite direction I’d hiked each previous day.
I got to enjoy views to the North of the Rogue Valley - toward Eagle Point, where I grew up. I saw Table Rocks, Agate Lake, Mount McGloughlin, Medford.
By the fourth day painting, I had my pack dialed in. Five miles is a bit long carrying painting gear, but totally do-able.
I walked past these cool views of the north end of the Rogue Valley - and when I came around the corner and saw this small overlook, I knew I’d found the perfect spot to paint. It had layers of mountains, green going blue. It showed the regrowth from the 2002 fire AND it was shady. The last three days I’d painted in full sun and I was determined to stay in the shade this day.
I was so happy to finish my last day strong! I love this little painting!
After I finished painting, I finished hiking the loop.
The west and south section got more sun and was the height of the 2002 burn area. It was interesting to see how conifers had regrown, along with elderberry, paintbrush, buckwheat, and many more wildflowers and understory plants, along with remnants of burnt trees.
Here are way too many photos of this section:
Eventually I made it back to the car - tired cookie!
P.S. I’ve learned the hard way: you must clean your brushes RIGHT AWAY - otherwise you get home, eat, crash and completely forget.
If you got this far into the post -You’re invited to a freeArtist Talk and Plein AirSketching class in the Monument on Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5.
CLICK HERE to register.
Also! Be the first to see (and shop) the paintings at the Artist Talk on Friday.
Huge thank you to FCSNM!!!
Daniel Collay and Eddie from Friends of the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument came up to say hello.
Daniel and Zaynab (not pictured) were super supportive and fun to work with!