A short hike into Lower Platte Clove. As seen in the photos below the waterfalls found inside Platte Clove are very strong with waterflow. With this trip I noticed a huge pile of rocks (slate) that lay in Platte Clove.

Platte Clove is a stupendous mountain pass that is breathtaking to behold from its roadside and from the trails along its rim, but very dangerous if you attempt to descend into Platte Clove’s depths. In Hiking the Catskills, Lee McAllister describes Platte Clove as one of the most rugged areas in the eastern United States.
An article written in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine in 1883 about Platte Clove, entitled The Catskills, states: “I think that known as Platterkill (Platte Clove) is the wildest and most picturesque, but only hardy walkers should attempt its ascent. Eighteen waterfalls may be counted in a walk up this clove. There are many precipices and vertical heights.”
Platte Clove is divided into two distinct sections: the upper and the lower. In the upper section of Platte Clove, waterfalls are tall, the terrain is more chiseled, and the side walls are nearly vertical. In Platte Clove’s lower section, or bottom section, the stream is more placid and the terrain less formidable, with a number of waterfalls, but none greater in 25 feet in height. (Source: Catskill Region Waterfall Guide by Russell Dunn)
A short hike into Lower Platte Clove. As seen in the photos below the waterfalls found inside Platte Clove are very strong with waterflow. With this trip I noticed a huge pile of rocks (slate) that lay in Platte Clove.
This is a simple snapshot of a road sign on the top potion of Platte Clove Road. I have taken previous photos of this area in years past to show how the warnings about Platte Clove Road have been addressed.
A 360 image of Plattekill Falls located in the Platte Clove Nature Preserve of Catskills.
A favorite series of mine from Plattekill Falls during overcast and stormy weather. A hazy autumn day at Devils Kitchen.
A 360 degree image from Platte Clove. I am standing left of the waterfall wearing a maroon sweatshirt.
A short walk from the Devils Kitchen parking area brings you to the steep ravine of Platte Clove. Many people have perished and have fallen to their demise in this area of Platte Clove. The photo below shows a Platte
A quick short 15 minute walk into lower Platte Clove
Schalk’s Falls is a roadside waterfall, and these photos were taken from the bridge that crosses the waterway of Plattekill Creek.
I started from the 100 year old stone bridge that crosses Hells Hole Creek and climbed down through Hells Hole from Devils Kitchen. At the bottom is a tall waterfall.
Three photos from Plattekill Falls from the same viewpoint with different focus points and exposure times with the camera.
The early part of the unmarked trail is very easy and one can reach 4 or 5 waterfalls within an easy 30-minute walk.
This past summer I purchased two books, Catskill Region Waterfall Guide and the Catskill Mountain Guide. With the two new books and a map, I explored several areas of the Catskills new to me.