Guiding Meaningful Adventures in the Sierra Nevada

Axis Wild Expeditions was founded on the belief that time in wild places has the power to reconnect us — to the landscape, to each other, and to ourselves.

Wilderness guide Rowen Schooley in Yosemite National Park

What Makes Axis Wild Expeditions Different

At Axis Wild Expeditions, hiking is more than just reaching a destination — it’s about how you experience the landscape along the way.

Our guides are professional wilderness leaders, naturalists, and storytellers who bring the Sierra Nevada to life through ecology, geology, and human history. Along the trail, you’ll gain insight and a depth of knowledge to bring a deeper comprehension of these awe-inspiring landscapes.

We move with intention — taking time to notice the details, adjust to the rhythm of the day, and create space for both exploration and reflection. Whether you’re hiking to a well-known viewpoint or along a quieter trail, the experience is shaped by a deeper connection to place.

With AWE, you can expect:

Professionally trained wilderness guides
Naturalist insight into ecology, geology, and wildlife
Storytelling that brings the landscape to life
Thoughtful pacing
A deeper, more intentional experience of the Sierra Nevada

Our Mission

Axis Wild Expeditions guides people back to presence, connection, and the landscapes that inspire and teach us. Through thoughtfully led wilderness adventures, we cultivate connection, community, and care for the natural world — helping each traveler rediscover their sense of wonder and belonging in the wild.

Our Core Values

🌿 Adventure with Intention

We believe adventure isn’t just about conquering peaks (though we love that too!) — it’s about presence, curiosity, and discovery along the way. Every journey is designed with equal parts of adventure, challenge, and reflection in mind. Guided by respect for the land and a deep appreciation for its wild beauty.

🌄 Wonder as a Way of Seeing

Wonder opens the door to transformation. We encourage moments to take it all in, notice deeply, tune into your awareness, and find joy in the simple, sacred details of the natural world.

🧭 Exploration with Integrity

True exploration honors both people and place. We lead responsibly — practicing Leave No Trace ethics, partnering with local communities, and fostering a sense of stewardship in every traveler.

🤝 Connection and Belonging

We nurture spaces where travelers can connect authentically — with nature, with others, and with themselves. Every expedition is an invitation to share stories, laughter, and a sense of home beneath open skies.

💫 Respect for the Wild Within and Without

We see the wild not just as a destination, but as a reflection of something within us — untamed, alive, and deeply wise. Our work is to help others find that same resonance and carry it forward.

A horse grazing near Whitney Creek in a meadow with mountains and pine trees in the background under a blue sky with white clouds.

Three hikers with backpacks standing on a mountain trail in the Ansel Adams Wilderness on the Southern border of Yosemite National Parkwith a scenic view of mountains, trees, and a cloudy sky.

Asters and Pretty Faces growing in a grassy area in the Ansel Adams Wilderness

Over looking Chicken Spring Lake in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park with large rocks, green plants, pink flowers, and surrounded by pine trees and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A person petting a black horse in a grassy meadow in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park surrounded by trees, with Mt. Whitney in the background and a partly cloudy sky.

Two people are hiking on a rocky mountain ridge on the way to the summit of Mt. Whitney in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park surrounded by a landscape of rocks and under a partly cloudy sky.

A marmot peeking out from rocks in a mountainous landscape in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park on the way to the summit of Mt. Whitney with a lake and rocky cliffs in the background.

Two hikers in bright jackets with backpacks and trekking poles hiking on a rocky mountain trail on the way to the summit of Mt. Whitney in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park looking through the windows over Owen's valley during sunrise.

A group of horses loaded with kegs of beer, gear, and supplies in the Ansel Adams Wilderness on the southern border of Yosemite National Park with a person riding one horse, surrounded by tall trees and sunlight filtering through.

Hikers walking along a rocky mountain ridge trail on the way to the summit of Mt. Whitney in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park with tall jagged peaks under a blue sky.

Three hikers trekking through a rocky forested mountain trail in the Ansel Adams Wilderness on the southern border of Yosemite National Park with pine trees and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

Person wearing a wide-brim hat, sitting on a rock, surrounded by wildflowers in a meadow, within the Ansel Adams Wilderness on the southern border of Yosemite National Park with trees and rocks in the background.

A serene mountain landscape in the Ansel Adams Wilderness on the southern border of Yosemite National Park, featuring a reflective lake surrounded by tall pine trees and rugged snow-capped mountains bathed in golden sunlight.

Person lying on a rock in the Ansel Adams Wilderness on the border of Yosemite National Park, with arms and legs outstretched, next to a small river or creek in a forest, with a water bottle and a water tumbler on top of a shirt, surrounded by tall t

Sunset over Cathedral lake in Yosemite National Park, reflecting the sky, trees, and clouds.

A landscape with two horses grazing near a lake in Yosemite National Park wilderness, surrounded by grass, small bushes, and scattered rocks, with a mountain range in the background under a clear sky.

Three hikers with backpacks and trekking poles hiking on a rocky trail in a mountainous landscape in Yosemite National Park wilderness, with distant mountain peaks and a cloudy sky.

A mountain landscape in Yosemite National Park wilderness, with a small lake reflecting the cloudy sky, surrounded by green vegetation and rocks.

A man in a blue shirt with suspenders stands near a lake at sunset in Yosemite National park wilderness, petting three brown horses by the water's edge, with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Four people wading in a lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness at the southern border of Yosemite National Park at the base of a rocky mountain with trees and patches of snow, under a clear blue sky.

Scenic mountain landscape in the Ansel Adams Wilderness in Yosemite National Park, with rocky terrain, two small lakes, and a dense forest of trees in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

Group of hikers on a rocky mountaintop peak in the Ansel Adams Wilderness on the southern border of Yosemite National Park, with scenic mountain range and blue sky with clouds in the background.

A group of six people in outdoor gear enjoying a meal around a table at a campsite with tents near guitar lake below Mt. Whitney in Sequoia Kings Canyon national park, and a clear sky in the background.

A person wearing outdoor gear standing on rocky terrain on a mountain ridge trail on the way to the summit of Mt. Whitney in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, overlooking a valley with lakes and snow-capped peaks under a partly cloudy sky.