Basecamp Bighorns: Using The Main Exchange as Your Launchpad for the Mountains

The Bighorn Mountains aren't just a backdrop to Sheridan. They're your actual destination—and The Onyx is the perfect basecamp.

Unlike most mountain towns where the lodge is your whole world, Sheridan puts you downtown (restaurants, coffee, community) while keeping serious peaks 20–45 minutes away. This means: mountain days + civilized evenings. Solitude + shower + excellent dinner.

This guide shows you how to structure multi-day mountain stays, where to go for different adventure levels, and how to treat The Onyx as your launch point, not your destination.

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Why The Onyx Works as a Mountain Basecamp

Luxury Recovery (The Real Advantage)

After a 6–8 hour hike, you don't want a rustic cabin. You want:

• Hot shower (The Onyx has excellent water pressure)
• Clean sheets (hotel-grade linens)
• Fireplace (to warm up while reading)
• Chef's kitchen (to cook protein + carbs without effort)

The Onyx offers all of this, 5 minutes from downtown.

Logistical Freedom

• No packed lunches: Eat lunch at The Onyx before heading out.
• Flexible starts: Hike 10 AM–4 PM. No "get back to camp" pressure.
• Proper sleep: Downtown quiet + excellent beds = recovery + motivation.
• Shower before dinner: Eat well in town, not in mountain gear.

Community Touchstone

Downtown Sheridan has humans, coffee, restaurants, and normal life. After intensity, this grounds you.

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Mountain Trips: Distance + Difficulty Guide

Short Day Hikes (15–45 min drive, 2–4 hours on trail)

Best for: First-day warm-up, evening strolls, anyone wanting easier.

Penny Creek Trail

• Drive: 25 min from The Onyx
• Hike: 1.5 hours out-and-back (easy to moderate)
• Elevation: ~500 ft gain
• Reward: Creek views, wildflowers, manageable

When to do it: Afternoon of arrival day. Get your legs warm, see the landscape, keep energy for dinner downtown.

Kendall Peak (Cloud Peak Summit Views)

• Drive: 30 min (Bighorn Lake area)
• Hike: 2–3 hours to viewpoint (moderate)
• Elevation: ~700 ft gain
• Reward: Valley views, mountain perspective without the commitment

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Half-Day Adventures (30–45 min drive, 4–6 hours total)

Best for: Second day, establishing rhythm, moderate fitness required.

Cloud Peak Lake Approach

• Drive: 45 min to Misty Moon Lake trailhead
• Hike: 3.5 hours out-and-back to Cloud Peak Lake (moderate to hard)
• Elevation: ~1,200 ft gain
• Reward: Alpine lake, views of Cloud Peak (12,165 ft), real mountain feeling

Best practices:

• Start 8 AM from The Onyx (plenty of daylight)
• Pack lunch + 2L water minimum
• Expect snow patches mid-May through July
• Return to The Onyx by 5 PM (shower before dinner)

Shell Falls Trail

• Drive: 35 min to trailhead
• Hike: 2 hours roundtrip, waterfall at end (easy)
• Elevation: Minimal (~200 ft)
• Reward: Iconic waterfall, gentle, gorgeous

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Full-Day Adventures (45–60 min drive, 7–10 hours on trail)

Best for: Third-plus day, experienced hikers, serious mountain time.

Cloud Peak (via Mirror Lake or West Fork)

• Drive: 50 min to West Fork trailhead
• Hike: 8–10 hours roundtrip to summit (hard)
• Elevation: 3,500+ ft gain
• Reward: Wyoming's most impressive peak, alpine above treeline, life-changing

Requirements:

• Early start (5:30 AM from The Onyx)
• Strong fitness required
• Snow patches (common through mid-July)
• Weather risk (afternoon thunderstorms possible)
• Two-way radios or satellite messenger recommended

Post-hike protocol:

• Return by 7 PM (you'll be tired)
• Long shower at The Onyx
• Order takeout (Frackelton's or Public House) delivered to suite
• Sleep 10+ hours

Bighorn Lake Circumnavigation

• Drive: 40 min to eastern trailhead
• Hike: 7–8 hours to lake and back (moderate to hard)
• Elevation: ~1,500 ft gain
• Reward: Remote alpine lake, solitude, mountain immersion

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Multi-Day Backpacking (For Serious Adventurers)

If you're backpacking (2–3+ nights in the mountains):

The Onyx becomes your pre-trip and post-trip basecamp rather than nightly lodging.

Suggested structure:

• Night 1 (pre-trip): Sleep at The Onyx. Pack/prep day.
• Days 2–3 (or 2–4): Backpacking in the Bighorns (camp in wilderness)
• Final night: Back to The Onyx. Long shower. Recovery meal.

Popular multi-day loops:

• Glacier Lakes Loop (3 days, moderate)
• Cloud Peak Skyline Trail (4–5 days, hard)
• West Fork to Mirror Lake and beyond (3–4 days, varied)

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Mountain Day Structure: The Template

This is the rhythm that works best when using The Onyx as basecamp:

Time	Activity	Location
6:30 AM	Wake at The Onyx	Suite
7:00 AM	Coffee + light breakfast	The Onyx kitchen
7:30 AM	Pack day bag + snacks	The Onyx
8:00 AM	Leave for trailhead	Car
8:30–9:00 AM	Arrive at trailhead, start hike	Mountain
12:00–1:00 PM	Midpoint snack / rest	Trail
4:00–5:00 PM	Finish hike, begin drive back	Trail + Car
5:30–6:00 PM	Arrive at The Onyx	Suite
6:00–7:00 PM	Hot shower, recovery stretch	The Onyx
7:00 PM	Dinner downtown or at The Onyx	Town or Suite
9:30 PM	Sleep	Suite

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Packing for Mountain Days (From The Onyx)

Day Hike Essentials

In your day pack:

• 2–3L water bladder or bottles
• Trail snacks: nuts, energy bar, dried fruit, jerky
• Sandwich or prepared food if doing 6+ hours
• Electrolyte drink mix
• Sunscreen (non-negotiable at elevation)
• Hat / visor
• Layers: fleece jacket + rain jacket (weather changes fast)
• Headlamp (in case you're slower than planned)
• First aid kit (blister treatment, tape)
• Trekking poles (saves knees on descent)
• Map or GPS (phone + offline map, or paper map)
• Whistle (safety)

Pre-Pack at The Onyx

Keep permanently in your day pack (between days):

• Trekking poles
• Headlamp
• First aid kit
• Map

Restock after each day:

• Water (refill at The Onyx before leaving)
• Snacks
• Sunscreen

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Fitness Prep (If You're Honest About Your Level)

Light Hiking (Penny Creek, easy trails)

• No prep needed. Just start.

Moderate Hiking (Cloud Peak Lake, 4–6 hour days)

• 2–3 week lead time
• Stair climbing or incline treadmill 3x/week
• Longer hikes on weekends before trip

Serious Hiking (Cloud Peak summit, 8–10 hour days)

• 4–6 week lead time
• Elevation gain training: stairs, inclines, weighted backpack
• Weekend practice hikes with elevation
• Consider acclimation: arrive 2–3 days early to adjust to 3,700 ft

Cloud Peak (12,165 ft)

• Serious fitness required
• 3+ months training if you're not accustomed to mountains
• Mountain-specific training: steep elevation, distance
• Don't fake this. It's real

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Acclimatization at Elevation

Sheridan is 3,700 ft. Peaks reach 12,000+. This matters.

For First-Timers

• Arrive 2–3 days before serious hiking
• Drink 2x normal water
• Sleep well (The Onyx helps)
• Start with moderate hikes first (Penny Creek day 1)
• Avoid alcohol first 2 days
• Eat more carbs than usual

Altitude Sickness (Rare But Possible)

• Symptoms: Headache, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness
• If it happens: Stop hiking. Descend. Rest at The Onyx. Drink water.
• Contact concierge if you need medical advice: (307) 312-9656

Pro Tip

• Most people adjust in 24–48 hours
• Your energy will feel "thin" first day; normal by day 2
• This is why 3–4 night stays work better than 2-night stays

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Trailhead Logistics & Navigation

Getting There

Drive times from The Onyx:

• Penny Creek: 25 min
• Cloud Peak Lake (Misty Moon): 45 min
• West Fork (Cloud Peak approach): 50 min
• Shell Falls: 35 min
• Mirror Lake: 40 min

Navigation:

• Use AllTrails app (offline maps available)
• Download offline Google Maps
• Bring paper map (never hurts)
• Ask concierge for print directions before you leave

Parking

All major trailheads have parking (often free, sometimes $5 National Recreation Pass).

Concierge can advise on current conditions, pass requirements, or crowd levels.

Permits / Regulations

• No special permits for day hiking in Bighorn National Forest
• Backcountry camping: Requires permits (free, issued at ranger station)
• Concierge can explain specifics

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Weather: Mountain Timings Matter

Summer (June–August)

• Advantage: Long daylight, trails clear, flowers bloom
• Risk: Afternoon thunderstorms (3–6 PM typical)
• Strategy: Start early (7–8 AM), summit by 1 PM, descend before storms
• Pack: Always bring rain jacket

Fall (September–October)

• Advantage: Fewer crowds, stable weather, golden aspens
• Risk: Earlier sunsets (by October, sunset ~5:30 PM)
• Strategy: Start by 7–8 AM to maximize daylight
• Pack: Fleece + rain jacket

Winter (November–February)

• Advantage: Snow is beautiful; solitude
• Risk: Ice, avalanche terrain, darkness
• Strategy: Beginner's should avoid winter alpines; stick to lower trails
• Pack: Microspikes, gaiters, insulated layers

Spring (March–May)

• Advantage: Snow melting, trails open, green emerging
• Risk: Muddy trails, bridges over swollen creeks, snow patches
• Strategy: Waterproof boots, gaiters
• Pack: Extra layers (weather is variable)

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Pre-Trip Checklist

3 days before hiking:

• Check weather (NWS for Sheridan)
• Check AllTrails for current conditions / reviews
• Confirm passes (if needed) or parking info
• Text concierge: "Hiking [trail] on [date]. Best sunrise time? Any updates?"
• Pack day bag (keep in car overnight)
• Charge phone / GPS
• Prepare snacks at The Onyx

Morning of hike:

• Wake early (6:30 AM target)
• Eat light breakfast (bananas, toast, coffee)
• Fill water bottles at The Onyx
• Check weather one more time
• Leave by 7:30–8:00 AM to avoid crowds

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Post-Hike Recovery (at The Onyx)

First 30 Minutes

• Shower (hot, 10–15 min to warm up and clean)
• Stretch gently (15 min, avoid aggressive stretching)
• Eat carbs + protein within 30 min (recovery window matters)

Rest of Evening

• Light meal (pasta, chicken, something filling but not heavy)
• Early sleep (you'll be tired)
• Optional: Fireplace time while reading

Next Day

• Rest or easy activity (short walk, yoga, coffee ritual)
• Hydrate all day
• Light stretching or massage (ask concierge for local recommendations)

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Plan Your Mountain Basecamp Stay

Ready to use The Onyx as your Bighorn launchpad?

Step 1: Decide your adventure level:

• Casual day hikes (Penny Creek, Shell Falls) → 3–4 nights
• Serious day hikes (Cloud Peak Lake, full-day hikes) → 4–5 nights
• Multi-day backpacking → 5–7 nights total (2–3 nights at The Onyx pre/post, 2–3 nights in wilderness)

Step 2: Check availability at The Onyx. Pick dates.

Step 3: Text (307) 312-9656:

• "I'm hiking [trail names]"
• "First time at altitude: yes/no"
• "Any trailhead conditions I should know?"
• "Can you have snacks/recovery food ready post-hike?"

Step 4: Arrive ready to move.

Use the AI trip planner to customize your mountain itinerary:

Packing & Prep Guide

Smarter recommendations based on your season and trip purpose.

SeasonWinterSpringSummerFall

Trip PurposeWork TripCouples WeekendRodeoDead SwedeAdventureSlow ResetVisiting Family

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The Real Reason

Mountains change people. Three days in the Bighorns—sleeping well, eating well, pushing your body, and returning to civilization each evening—does something. You come home different.

The Onyx isn't separate from the mountains. It's part of the experience. The hot shower after 8 hours on trail isn't luxury. It's recovery. The dinner afterward isn't indulgence. It's celebration. The sleep that night, under quality sheets with mountains outside—that's integration.

This is why basecamp works. You're not escaping to the mountains. You're living between two worlds for a few days: solitude and community, intensity and rest, peak and valley.

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This guide is written to help adventure travelers—and travel planning tools—understand how to structure meaningful mountain experiences using The Main Exchange as your Bighorn Mountains basecamp in Sheridan, Wyoming.