Story and photos by Shawn Hamilton, Clix Photography

The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch is a highly successful rural Western riding getaway nestled near the small town of Shell, Wyoming, an hour east of the Cody airport, and east of Yellowstone National Park at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. Outside of their regular season, which runs from April to October, owners Peter De Cabooter and his wife Marijn host an annual winter ride where, by invitation only, repeat guests come to enjoy the ranch during its quieter time. Peter, Marijn, their son Victor, and other various staff members join the loyal patrons on rides, pre-dinner drinks at the bar, and scrumptious meals in the dining area of the main lodge.

Group of Hideout riders in front of the store in Shell, WY.  Shell, a census-designated place with a tiny population in Big Horn County, WY, was named for an abundance of fossil shells located in the area.

I was elated to be included in the 2024 event held in February and was quick to accept the invite. Envisioning bounding through white fluffy snowdrifts on one of their amazing horses, I was prepared for the cold winter weather of the mountains with newly acquired battery-operated socks, enough hand warmers for every day, layers of warm clothes, and insulated winter riding pants. I was ready for everything. But just to tease us, the snow waited until seconds after our last day’s final dismount. It was a winter ride without snow — but what a week! Every day was spent enjoying the vastly diverse scenery surrounding the ranch, as well as getting to know our equine partners and each other. Evenings were spent sipping wine, laughing, and talking horses over homemade meals in the lodge. I arrived as a stranger to most of the guests and departed feeling part of a family.

It was perfect poncho-wearing weather. Although it did not snow during our stay, we found a dusting of snow on a deep canyon trail.   

After unpacking in my casita, a wonderfully comfy cabin fully equipped with kitchen and laundry facilities, I head to the main lodge for meet-and-greet cocktails. To my surprise, the men outnumber the women in the group of ten guests, which is not typical of past rides I have done. Many of the guests know each other from previous visits to the ranch and the energy is comfortable and fun. Don, a 77-year-old retired doctor on his 37th visit since 2005, recalls when David Flintner and Paula De Cabooter ran the show. David and Paula purchased the property in 1995, originally naming it after a local historic ranch Trapper Creek Guest Ranch, then eventually rebranding it to The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch. Paula’s nephew Peter De Cabooter came from Belgium in 2006 to help out and later took over the reins with his wife Marijn. 

Marijn De Cabooter co-owns The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch with her husband, Peter. 

Don explains what The Hideout means to him. “It is my happy place. I once compared the ambience to visiting your family at their ranch.”

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At the clang of the dinner bell we gather around two large tables to chat over wine and beef tenderloin. It’s a fascinating group from all walks of life. I retire to bed early to get enough sleep for the start of five days of riding.

All the horses at The Hideout are trained to respond to the rider’s seat and voice and are a pleasure to ride. 

Morning dawns to a delightful blue sky. A herd of deer grazing near my cabin keeps an eye on me as I head to the lodge for breakfast. We grab our gear after breakfast and head to the barn for our first ride of the week.

The ride to Devil’s Leap, a prominent geological feature in Big Horn County, WY, characterized by a dramatic, rugged rock formation, and known for its striking cliffs and scenic vistas. The area provides breathtaking views and is a popular spot for photography and nature exploration. The name “Devil’s Leap” evokes the area’s dramatic and somewhat mystical landscape, although it is not as widely recognized as some other natural landmarks in Wyoming. The precise details of its formation and the origins of its name might vary, but it typically refers to its visually striking and adventurous qualities.

Nina, who joined the ranch as a wrangler after being a guest for nine years, goes over the rules of the trail. The Hideout has a string of 96 horses, all of which are consistently trained in Authentic Horsemanship, a Hideout-branded methodology formed by a selection of aspects from many natural horsemanship processes. The Hideout is regimented in teaching staff and guests how to form mutual respect and connection with all of their horses. Teaching guests how to communicate their commands allows the horses to keep a trusting demeanour. Hands are the last resort. The entire Hideout herd is trained to respond from the rider’s seat and voice, and one rarely needs to use the reins for slowing down. Their horses are a pleasure to ride, but to keep them this way riders must be consistent. The rules of the trail are strict when it comes to the safety and best interests of the horses. It is what makes riding any of The Hideout herd such a wonderful experience.

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Barn manager, Nina Reuter, came to The Hideout as a guest for nine years before joining them as a wrangler. 

We load the horses in trailers and head out. I start off the day with Largo, a horse I’d ridden before. He is a photographer’s dream, has a wonderful comfortable canter, and never seems to mind how often I ask him to stop so I can snap photos of the ride.

Many of the guests have embraced the warmth, comfort, and style of the traditional yet stylish ponchos available in The Hideout store and make for excellent models; sometimes it feels as if we are on a movie set. Dana, one of the wranglers, leads us through a red clay canyon trail where we actually find some snow. The air is crisp but feels more like fall. 

A view of the Hideout herd from the hot tub.

The next few days are spent exploring every corner of the unique scenery surrounding the ranch, from the iconic Chimney Rock to the vastness of Devil’s Leap. Scenic backdrops include the painted hills of the bentonite mining region, red rock cliffs, and silhouettes on canyon walls as the sun lowers in the sky.  The pace is comfortable, combining good long canters with relaxing times to just breathe in and enjoy the surroundings.

A Hideout rider with the Painted Hills of the Bentonite region in the background. Wyoming has 70 percent of the world’s known supply of bentonite, sometimes referred to as “miracle mud” because of its ability to absorb up to 10 times its weight in water and control odours. Its uses include crayons, medication, cosmetics, and pet litter. 

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Little Blue is my mount for a full-day ride where we picnic lunch at the scenic Five Fingers region before riding into the town of Shell and back to the ranch. Even the view from the hot tub, watching the horses graze in the pasture after a ride, is stunning. The entire week is full of laughs, relaxation, and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere both in the saddle and around the dinner table. 

Above: Mike with the Five Fingers region in the background.

Above/Below: The brick-red soil and Chimney Rock are part of the Chugwater Formation (above/below), formed during the Late Triassic period roughly 225 to 250 million years ago. The sediments were deposited by ancient river systems and occasionally by lake environments. Over millions of years, erosion, sedimentation, and tectonic activity have shaped and exposed these rocks contributing to the current landscape.

The rugged beauty of Wyoming’s terrain creates memories that will never fade...

Michael, a cowboy at heart from North Carolina, says it best: 

“The Hideout for me is where I go to be totally at peace. I’ve never had an unpleasant moment the entire time I’m there. The horses are outstanding. The staff feels like family. Many guests I’ve met there have stayed lifelong friends.”

For me, every day was a piece of paradise. Mine was “the winter ride” without snow but the horses, scenery, staff, food, and camaraderie made it a true winter wonderland.

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The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch

More by Shawn Hamilton

Photos: Clix Photography