Axis Wild Expeditions

09/10/2026

We go into the wild seeking something.
Adventure. Challenge. Solitude. Connection. Maybe something we can’t quite put into words.
Somewhere between doing the hard things and slowing down enough to notice where we are, we find it.

The moment when the effort, discomfort, landscape, and presence all come together.

The one that reminds us why the effort is worth it. That we're part of something so much bigger. Why wild places matter. And why we keep coming back.

2027 dates coming soon. DM with any questions or hit the link in bio ✨️

08/17/2026

✨️ Sierra Flora Spotlight ✨️
Little Elephant's Head (𝘗𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘴)

The Sierra Nevada is much more than granite peaks and towering forests, it's also an extraordinary botanical landscape- a wildflower enthusiasts dream. Here is another one of our favs!

You can see how this particular wildflower got it's name with it's cute elephant-shaped flowers. These beauties are generally found in wet montane and subalpine meadows. These were found near Cathedral lakes, our last night's camp on the Yosemite Grande Traverse. While they still have chlorophyll and photosynthesize, this plant is hemiparasitic, meaning is draws some of its nutrients from other neighboring plants through its root system.

08/13/2026

Our last Yosemite Grand Traverse backpacking trip this season, will be from Sept 12 - 19, 2026.

Join us on this iconic journey deep into Yosemite's wild interior. Over Isberg pass, down the headwaters of the Merced, over Clouds Rest, through Sunrise and Cathedral Lakes, and out through Tuolumne Meadows. This epic trek was recognized by National Geographic as one of it's top 15 trails worldwide- understandably so.

This is one of our favorite secret swimming holes on the headwaters of the Merced river.

For the full itinerary go to:
Axiswildexpeditions.com

Or hit the link in bio ✨️

08/04/2026

07/27/2026

🔦 Sierra Fauna Spotlight 🔦

Sierra Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata multicincta
Beautiful, Harmless, and Misunderstood

Don't let the vibrant red, black, and white bands fool you—this stunner is completely harmless! Often mistaken for a coral snake, the Sierra mountain kingsnake uses mimicry to scare off predators, but luckily for us, coral snakes don't live in California.

These reptiles are true "kings" of the forest. They get their name from their impressive ability to hunt other snakes, including venomous rattlesnakes. Thanks to a natural resistance to rattlesnake venom, they can constrict their prey with powerful coils without worrying about a fatal bite.

Secretive and shy, spotting one is a rare treat—they spend most of their time tucked under rocks and logs. We've been lucky enough to see a few this year across different habitats, which shows how adaptable these beautiful creatures are.

Harmless, beneficial, and absolutely gorgeous. A perfect reminder that the Sierra's wildness is often hiding just beyond our footsteps.