Utah
Off the Beaten Path: Backcountry Hiking in Southwestern Utah
Program No. 23226RJ
Take on challenging hikes off the beaten path through the backcountry of Utah with a small group of fellow adventurers, learning about geological and human history of the region.
Participant Reviews
Based on 28 Reviews
SHOWING
The RS “challenging” activity designation jumps to a new level with this program of diverse hikes through spectacular country. Read all of the reviews thoroughly. I did. Although I was already hiking 10-13 miles weekly, I worked with a personal trainer for 2 months to up my fitness level. I should have started earlier! Anyone considering this trip would be well-advised to do at least several months of flexibility, balance, and stamina training before attending. Our leaders—Chris and Mark—were knowledgeable, good-humored, and organized. They communicated well with the group and each other and were constantly available for support and encouragement. The hikes took us into beautiful canyons; up (and down) rocky and steep trails; over and around boulders and through one keyhole; over angled slickrock; and chimneying above water-filled potholes. Chris and Mark referred to some of the sections as “playgrounds.” The rock scrambling and other gymnastics (minor rappelling and other forms of canyoneering) were mostly fun (even when a little scary) and whenever we reached a difficult part of the trail, both leaders were on hand to assist (teaching us the art of the “butt lift,” the “poles pass” and the ”hand up.”) Workarounds were found when needed. Although I never boulder-hopped on this trip, navigation over and around rocks was frequent. In addition, our group hiked a pace faster than my 2.5-3 mph norm, so be prepared for stretches of speed hiking where terrain permits. Our base hotel was excellent—comfortable and quiet—all meals (including lunches) were the best we’ve eaten on 12 previous RS trips. Phil’s presentations about local geology and archeology were informative and entertaining (and gave us a chance to rest!). This is a bucket list trip. Just be sure your body is up to it so you can make the most of the experience.
— Review left May 22, 2025
This is a great, very fun "outback" program for those who keep physically fit in aerobic capacity, strength and coordination, i.e. challenging rock climbing, slogging through sand and a couple of long days.
— Review left May 17, 2025
Off the Beaten Path in Utah was our first Road Scholar and first group travel experience, so we were not sure what to expect. We loved every aspect of the program! All of the arrangements were excellent, the hikes were spectacular and the group leaders took very good care of us.
— Review left May 10, 2025
This was my first Road Scholar trip and it did not disappoint! We hiked in truly magical areas that would be hard to find if traveling independently. Views are absolutely stunning. The hiking terrain may be challenging for some. Lots of rock scrambling and conditions that required agility, balance, strength, and stamina. Leaders were helping along the way for those who needed it and they were great at boosting our confidence and ensuring our safety. Lots of smiles and laughs throughout. Road Scholar - please offer more 'challenging' trips like this!
— Review left May 8, 2025
You will definitely get to hike "off the beaten path" onto trails which require an experienced guide. Read the program materials very carefully because these are HARD hikes. I trained prior to the trip and still had difficulty keeping up. The hikes are varied and in very beautiful areas which will knock your socks off. The hard physical work paid off with spectacular scenery. I'm very glad I completed this trip. I came home somewhat battered but happy to have done it.
The guides are very experienced. I felt safe and well taken care of.
— Review left April 22, 2025
This was my first Road Scholar Program that is beyond my expectations! – Very well organized, 7-days hiking with similar-minded seniors whose average age is over 70 years old! They are all my inspirations and rock! The group leader Mark Adkins and hike leader Chris Weaver are remarkable, leading us through the most challenging but the most rewarding spectacular hiking trails safely in SW UT, since we are all outdoor enthusiasts! I have booked AZ Marble Canyon hiking trip in October. Road Scholar Programs enrich our lives in our golden years!
— Review left April 21, 2025
My experience with Off the Beaten Path: Backcountry Hiking in SW Utah was everything I hoped for and more: well organized, great hiking with stunning landscape in geologically interesting areas, knowledgable and supportive leaders and expert lecturers, comfortable lodging and good food!
— Review left October 27, 2024
I have only positive things to say about this program. The leaders, Chris and Brian, were exceptional. They were just what we needed to be albe to enjoy and complete our hikes. The hikes themselves were moderate to strenuous so make sure you're fit enough to travel several miles day after day, climb, and scramble over rocks. Be prepared to possibly go beyond your comfort zone. Be able to walk on a narrow ledge. If you can do these things then I highly recommend this program.
— Review left May 6, 2024
Southwest Utah is a beautiful geological wonder and a great way to explore and learn more about it is by experiencing it through the Off the Beaten Path: Backcountry Hiking in Southwestern Utah Road Scholar trip. You will be lead by a wonderful team, meet new friends and experience hiking through canyons, sandstone bowls, rock scrambling and elevations with glorious views. I am looking forward to my best Road Scholar adventure.
— Review left April 24, 2024
Push yourself and your body to new heights. Climb over and under boulders and trees of every size and color that will take your breathe away in more way than one.
— Review left November 5, 2023
Sherry, Chris and Gearard you guys' rock! I had a fabulous time! It has driven me to challenge myself for more trips like these. Thank you for the lifetime of experience.!
— Review left October 30, 2023
If you like to hike to spectacular locations, with physically challenging days, this is for you! Sherry, Chris and Jared were always prepared, considerate and encouraging. Our group was composed of all solo travelers, which I gather was atypical, but they worked to bring us together while still respecting differences. The hikes were fun and occasionally strenuous with fantastic scenery. The educational aspects were informative but pithy, not too far "into the weeds". I would take this trip again!
— Review left October 23, 2023
Outstanding week! The hikes in the varied and beautiful landscapes of SW Utah were challenging and so much fun! Our leaders, Sherry, Chris, and Brian, were fabulous...knowledgeable, experienced, and very personable. The accommodations were very comfortable, and food was tasty and plentiful. I highly recommend this Road Scholar adventure for anyone who loves hiking.
— Review left April 27, 2023
Exploring this area has been on my bucket list for a long time. I'm delighted with what I learned, saw and did on this trip. I would recommend it highly to anyone fit enough to scramble over precarious rocks and with stamina to hike long distances daily.
— Review left November 16, 2022
This was my first Road Scholar adventure, and it exceeded all expectations!
Sherry and Chris took us to truly off-the-beaten-path trails. It felt as though we became a part of a secret club to witness the beauty of Utah. The leaders were knowledgeable, adaptive and responsive to the group. Sherry quickly earned our trust which gave us the encouragement and confidence to tackle some challenging terrain.
I can’t wait for my next Road Scholar adventure!
— Review left November 10, 2022
The Off the Beaten Path: Backcountry Hiking in Southwestern Utah Trip is a fantastic trip. I highly recommend it. You do need to be an avid hiker able to complete 6-12 miles a day in sometimes steep environments with scrambling and bouldering required. The views were magnificent and the hikes varied from wide open bowls of ancient sand dunes to steep and deep canyons and everything in between. If you want a challenge with lots of eye candy in views, this one is for you.
— Review left October 17, 2022
The program is listed a challenging, and it is. If you like a vigorous and educational hiking experience with great people this is for you. Our group had people from 60 to 76 years old and everyone was up for the experience.
— Review left May 5, 2022
The program was very challenging but that's was what I really like as you feel a sense of accomplishment. I feel for anyone thinking of doing this trip you need to prepare as you need upper body and length strength to effectively accomplish and enjoy the hiking. Sherrie and Chris were very good at how they led the hikes. I would definitely recommend this if you want a great challenging hiking experience
— Review left May 3, 2022
Nice trip. New areas to explore. Fairly rigerous for 70 year olds. Wilderness is disappearing, see it while you still can.
— Review left May 3, 2022
Sherry, the lead guide is very approachable, friendly, knowledgeable about the area, the plants, the fauna, and the geology. She is top class. The food was excellent and you get access to a variety of types of food. Vegetarian needs are also accomodated. The hotel was clean and well located. Everything in the room worked as intended. The hikes are as described, challenging. Do not register for this trip unless you have good balance, fair upper-body and leg strength, and have high physical endurance. The hike to Water Canyon/Squirrel Canyon started at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 5:00 p.m. We covered almost ten miles on this hike. Fourteen of the sixteen hikers were very tired the next day. Luckily an easy day is built into the schedule on the day following the tough hike. The scenery is awesome and because the trips are only scheduled for spring and fall, the weather is usually perfect for hiking. This trip is very highly recommended for those who are phsically fit and want a challenge. Oh, two of the hikes required scrambling, that is, using all four limbs to navigate/negotiate obstacles along the route. The guides were equipped with webbed ropes to help the hikers better navigate challenging areas.
— Review left May 2, 2022
This is a terrific program in a breathtaking landscape. For this flatlander, it was an opportunity to push myself: it is a physically challenging program, but for me just the right amount of challenge. That being said, it's essential to read the descriptions of the hikes carefully before enrolling to make sure this trip is for you. The group leaders were wonderful and added to the experience, as did fellow travelers.
— Review left April 20, 2022
Wow, what a great and challenging trip. Amazing hikes in the St George area where there were far fewer other hikers. The location, the hotel, the food at local restaurants were all great choices. We had lunches provided every day for the long hiking days.
I will observe there were a number of people on the trip that hadn't read the program descriptions or perhaps did not understood just how challenging these hikes were going to be. This was *not* just a hike down some trails, we were climbing or dropping through some challenging rock and boulder formations, going up or down some fairly steep trails with some impressive drop-offs right next to the trails. If you're ready for some great challenging hikes that will most likely to push you out of your comfort zone, this is the trip for you! The guides were there for us the whole time, and helped us overcome many many obstacles on the hikes. Great time!
— Review left April 18, 2022
OMG how can I find words to describe this amazing tour?Have been my first ever RS I must say I really enjoyed. The knowledge, concerns, abilities and strength of the leaders were remarkable. We all felt like a family when we had to leave. The colors and formations were inspiring and we were guided places I would have never seen any other way.A challenge physicaly ,and a lot to learn, LOVED RS!
— Review left November 15, 2021
Challenging hikes in beautiful southwest Utah’s stunning formations, canyons & cliffs.
Great program for those who love challenging hikes (which are fully guided and supported by the instructors), along with in-depth explanations of the geology. Our group of like-minded enthusiastic hikers added to the fun.
— Review left November 11, 2021
Awesome and strenuous hiking opportunities with significant geology and history information added in. I learned a lot and am encouraged to go back for more!
— Review left November 1, 2021
I am getting used to it. I liked the old website. The new one seems more simplistic but it is not necessarily easier to use.
— Review left October 21, 2019
This is an amazing program and like nothing else I have ever done. John and Sherri are a pleasure to hike with and have a wealth of information that they share with the group. The program is accurately described as challenging and the rewards are well worth the effort. We hiked in places that we saw no one outside of our group the entire day and much of the time we were not on established trails. The terrain was varied and is well described in the RS itinerary as was what you can expect for each of the daily hikes. John and Sherri were flexible and creative when hiking options were necessary.
For those who may be hesitant to sign up for this program be aware that it is physically demanding but we always had alternatives for the most difficult areas. Weather was also a factor as the temperatures were in the mid-80's one day and then barely above freezing on another. Having clothing options is a must.
Sherri knew the areas we hiked extremely well and was helpful to those of us who were not as experienced. This program was a personal goal and accomplishment for me and I am very grateful to RS and specifically to John who was especially supportive and encouraging. If you have the desire to learn about the area, discipline to work hard, and hike where you wouldn't otherwise go on, I highly recommend this program with John and Sherri. The experience was priceless and I look forward to more programs offered in the SW areas of Utah.
— Review left October 5, 2019
The overview accurately describes this trip, off the beaten path and challenging, scrambling over boulders and walking along paths that were steep. The activity rating of "3" was spot on, so do get in shape before signing up, you will enjoy the hiking so much more.
Be prepared for unpredictable spring weather, 80+ degrees one day and then snow and rain the next. And if you're the type of person that can't handle changes in the itinerary because of unforeseen circumstances, such as weather or trail closures, this might not be the trip for you.
Did I have a good time? Absolutely!! Our guides, Sherry and John, were kind, considerate and had great senses of humor. My fellow hikers were interesting, laid back and always willing to help each other. I would highly encourage anyone interested in geology and hiking to take this trip.
Another wonderful trip with Road Scholar.
— Review left April 17, 2019