New trail markers for old and new trails at the Platte Clove Preserve
On your next visit to the Catskill Center's Platte Clove Preserve, there aren't just new trails to explore, but all of the Preserve's trails have been marked with new trail markers.
The trail construction and new trail markers are all part of the Catskill Center's efforts to improve public access at the Preserve, while protecting the area's natural resources and the facilitating the annual Platte Clove Artist in Residence Program the Preserve hosts at our Red Cabin.
The Platte Clove Preserve is one of two public preserves owned and managed by the Catskill Center in the Catskills. Platte Clove Preserve is located in the northeastern Catskills and is comprised of 208 acres with beautiful waterfalls and trails at the head of the rugged and scenic Platte Clove in the Town of Hunter.
The Trails
Waterfall Trail: Reconstructed by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference in August of 2017, the Waterfall Trail is an approximately 1/3 of a mile, one-way trail to the base of Plattekill Falls (for a total of 2/3 of a mile round trip). The trail begins at the trail junction in front of the informational kiosk just above the Red Cabin. From here the trail goes eastward and slopes downward to the edge of the clove and then turns and descends to the base of Plattekill Falls. Proper footwear (hiking boots or shoes) is required to safely navigate this trail. The trail ends at the base of Plattekill Falls. Hikers should be aware that swimming is prohibited. Return to the kiosk the same way you came.
Nature Trail: Constructed by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference in August of 2017, the Nature Trail is a 1/2 mile loop trail on the south side of the Plattekill Creek that gives visitors the opportunity to walk along the creek, see the top of Platte Clove and walk through the ruins of a former boarding house that existed on the site in the 19th century. The trail starts at the intersection with the Overlook Trail, about 50 feet after the Overlook Trail crosses the Plattekill Creek. Turn left onto the nature trail, crossing a small brook. Then follow the nature trail to the edge of Platte Clove, then along the edge to the ruins of the boarding house before climbing slightly and then returning to the intersection with the Overlook Trail.
Overlook Trail: The Overlook Trail, which travels between Platte Clove and the summit of Overlook Mountain above Woodstock starts at the Platte Clove Preserve at the trail junction in front of the kiosk. From the kiosk the trail travels westward along the creek, quickly crossing the stream on a replica king-post bridge that used to exist here to allow carriages to travel what was then, the Overlook Road and which horse-drawn carriages used to travel between the mountaintop and Woodstock. After crossing the bridge, the trail quickly reaches a trail junction with the Nature Trail. The Overlook Trail turns right and then climbs quickly through the Preserve to the south before reaching the boundary with the New York State Forest Preserve lands. From there, the trail travels to the junction with the Devil's Path, continuing to the Devil's Kitchen Lean-to and beyond to the Echo Lake Trail junction and finally to the top of Overlook Mountain.
The Trail Markers
Based on the trail marking system developed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (blue denoting north-south trails, red denoting east-west trails and yellow denoting side trails), the Catskill Center further developed the marker to better identify each trail a visitor can enjoy at the Preserve. The markers include the Catskill Center logo and the name of each trail.
More To Come!
These markers are just part of the continuing improvements to public access at the Preserve. The Catskill Center is currently working on new signage for the entire Platte Clove Preserve, along with a new trail signage. Look for access improvements to continue at Platte Clove over the next several months!