Platte Clove facts for kids
Platte Clove, also known as Plattekill Clove, is a deep, narrow valley. You can find it in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
This valley sits between several mountains. To the north are Kaaterskill High Peak and Roundtop Mountain. To the south are Plattekill Mountain and Indian Head Mountain. Most of Platte Clove is in Greene County. The eastern parts are in Ulster County. A stream called Plattekill Creek flows through the valley.
Many hiking trails cross the Clove. These include the Devil's Path and Huckleberry Point Trail. The area is also famous for bicycle racing events.
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Exploring Platte Clove's Geography
Platte Clove is one of only two major breaks in the Catskill Escarpment. The Catskill Escarpment is a steep edge of mountains. The other break is Kaaterskill Clove, located near Kaaterskill High Peak.
A narrow, two-lane road winds through the valley. This road is called Platte Clove Road. It starts in West Saugerties in the southeast. It then climbs up to Tannersville in the northwest.
Views and Safety in the Clove
The cliffs near the top of the Clove offer amazing views of waterfalls. However, these areas can be dangerous. Sadly, some accidents have happened here.
A part of Platte Clove is known as Devil's Kitchen. It got this name because it's very challenging for hikers. This area goes from the top of the valley down into West Saugerties. It's known for having timber rattlesnakes and northern copperheads. The ground on the south side can also be tricky. There are places where the ground is hollow, and you could fall into rock cracks. Some spots have drops of over 100 feet hidden by tree branches. Emergency teams once took three days to recover a person after an accident in a spot called Hell's Hole.
Platte Clove's Artistic History
In the early 1800s, American artists discovered the wild beauty of the Catskills. They were especially amazed by places like Platte Clove. Artists like Thomas Cole painted these rugged landscapes. Their artworks helped create a famous art movement. This group of artists became known as the Hudson River School. Their paintings showed the beauty of American wilderness.
Hiking Adventures in Platte Clove
Platte Clove is a popular spot for hiking. Two main trails pass through the area. These are the Devil's Path and the Huckleberry Point Trail.
The Long Path also connects to these trails. The Long Path is a very long hiking trail, about 357 miles (575 km) long. It starts near the George Washington Bridge and ends in Albany. The Long Path uses parts of the Devil's Path. It then goes onto the Overlook Trail. After that, it follows Platte Clove Road for a short distance. Finally, it heads north on the Huckleberry Point Trail.
Bicycle Racing Challenges
Platte Clove is famous for its bicycle racing events. The steepest part of the climb is in the area called Devil's Kitchen. This section starts in West Saugerties. It climbs 1,200 feet (366 meters) in just 2.1 miles (3.4 km). This makes it one of the hardest climbs in the United States.
The Devil's Kitchen Climb
The Devil's Kitchen climb has an average slope of 12%. Some parts are as steep as 31%. This climb is so tough that it's compared to the hardest climbs in the Tour de France. It's often called a Category 2 climb because of its shorter length. If you include more of the road, it becomes a Hors catégorie climb. This is the hardest type of climb in cycling.
Large trucks and buses are not allowed on this road. Also, all vehicles are banned from November 1 to April 15. During this time, the road is not maintained or plowed.
The Tour de Trump bicycle race once used this road. It was so steep that some top cyclists had to get off and walk their bikes. It was even raining that day, making it harder. Platte Clove also plays a big part in the yearly Tour of the Catskills bike race. Aurelien Passeron, who won the 2010 Tour of the Catskills, said this climb was even steeper than famous Tour de France climbs like Col du Tourmalet or Mont Ventoux. He noted it was shorter, but still incredibly challenging.
