Rowboat in North Lake

Hiking in North-South Lake Campground

Cloud cover was very low today (August 20 2005) over the North South Lake Campground located in the Catskills of New York. Visibility was zero at Newman’s Ledge.

Stamford at Dusk

Stamford at dusk from Mount Utsayantha

Becker Hollow Trail

The Becker Hollow Trail can be difficult at several areas. It is a steep ascent to the summit of Hunter Mountain from Becker Hollow. The rocks on the Becker Hollow Trail are arranged like stairs towards the end of the trail towards Hunter Mountain. The first part of Becker Hollow is relatively easy and getting to the footbridge as seen in the the photo gallery where there is a creek and some minor cascades is very easy. The alternative route to the top of Hunter Mountain is Spruceton Trail and that is much easier in my opinion. It also is longer.

The firetower located  at the top of Hunter Mountain was closed and locked.  One can climb the stairs of the Hunter Mountain Firetower but can not enter the upper room of the firetower.

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Info about the Becker Hollow Trail thats leads to the top of Hunter Mountain

The information below about Becker Hollow Trail is from the Catskill Mountain Guide by Peter Kick.

The northern most trailhead along 214 traverses Becker Hollow. This is the shortest route to Hunter summit (2.3 miles), however Becker Hollow is also the steepest. This blue-blazed trail joins a yellow-blazed spur trail just prior to the summit.
The Becker Hollow trail passes a solitary, ruined stone archway at the entrance to the Becker property, crosses open fields, and enters a hemlock woods. It then spans a footbridge. Ahead, off a short, unmarked path to the left (southeast) is an interesting, small concrete dam across Becker Hollow Brook. (Catskill Mountain Guide by Peter Kick)

Becker Hollow Trail…

to Hunter Mountain (Mtn) Trail and lookouts: 2.05 mi

to Hunter Summit via Hunter Mountain Trail: 2.3 mi

At the Becker Hollow Trailhead is a stone archway as seen in the above photos.

Becker Hollow Trail – Blue Markers
0.00- Start of trail on Stony Clove Road (NY 214), 1 mile north of Devil’s Tombstone Campground.

1.90- Junction with cutoff trail to spring (250′) and Hunter Mtn Fire Tower (.5 mile).

2.05- Trail junction. Trail (Yellow markers) straight ahead leads to lookout over West Kill valley. Trail (Yellow markers) to the left leads to Devil’s Path, Devil’s Tombstone Campground, and Spruceton. Right on Blue marked trail to Hunter Mtn Fire Tower.

2.40- Trail passes over summit before entering the clearing with the fire tower. Excellent views from tower. Junction with Spruceton trail.

RC Plane

Platte Clove Preserve

A snapshot of my father which helps show the size of some of the boulders in the area.

Platte Clove Nature Preserve 360

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Plattekill Falls/ Platte Clove Preserve

This past summer I purchased two books from Amazon.com (Catskill Region Waterfall Guide and Catskill Mountain Guide) regarding the Catskill Park & Forest Preserve. My family has been exploring the Catskills for over 30 years to get to our cabin located just north of the Catskills. With the two new books and a map I explored several areas of the Catskills new to me.

On one of my lone trips I walked to Plattekill Falls which is located in Platte Clove Preserve in the town of West Saugerties. Plattekill Falls is a waterfall that measures over 70 feet high and has an official trail. The hike to the falls is very simple and it brings one down to the base of Plattekill Falls. After taking several photos of Plattekill Falls I then walked further along the stream. It takes a bit of climbing over very big boulders and walls of stone but at end is another waterfall that probably measures over 100 feet in height. This time I was not at the base of a waterfall but at the top of a waterfall. I was a bit skittish to stand very close to the top of the falls as it took some climbing to get to the actual top (of the waterfall). Plus I was alone and the rocks were very wet. This waterfall is named Bridal Veil Falls.

After the exploration I spoke to my father about this rocky place and he seemed a bit skeptical of the area as to its existence and the way I described it (Bridal Veill Falls). So a week later we explored the area together. Upon reaching Plattekill Falls we met a young couple. Since they were there first and to give them privacy we traveled further along the stream to Bridal Veil Falls.  This was the rugged area I wanted to show my Father.

This time I made it to the end of the falls (the top of Bridal Veil Falls) and looked over the ravine known as Platte Clove. The ravine is so very steep and a fall from the top of falls would mean certain death due to the height and the rocks below. After exploring the area and taking several photos we made it back to the base of the original falls, Plattekill Falls. We spoke to the couple and found out the couple just got engaged under Plattekill Falls from the time we first saw them and now. I was fortunate enough to photograph a few photos of the newly engaged couple under Plattekill Falls after hearing the good news.

Kevin Kraft is a musician and visitors to his website are able to listen to his songs. Kevin Kraft’s website is located at: www.kevinkraft.com.

About Plattekill Falls:

Plattekill Falls is a large, plunging waterfall exceeding 70 feet in height, formed near the top of Platte Clove. Plattekill Falls is contained in a section of the ravine where steep walls loom to the south and sloping walls extend to the north. Just above the top of Plattekill Falls are several small cascades that are not visible below. (Catskill Region Waterfall Guide by Russell Dunn)

Platte Clove Photo

The photo below is of me standing on Platte Clove Road. Approx date would be mid November 1982 or 1983. During this time period our family called it- “The Mountain Road”. Platte Clove Road in recent times has seen an substantial amount of increased traffic.

Plattekill Falls 360

A newly engaged couple under Plattekill Falls in the Platte Clove Nature Preserve. Read more here.
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Plattekill Falls

Diamond Notch Falls 360

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Diamond Notch Falls

Diamond Notch Falls with a pedestrian bridge for hikers

Spruceton Trail 360

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Spruceton Trail 360

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Spruceton Trail

Photos from the Spruceton Trail located in the Catskills. The Spruceton Trail even through longer than the Becker Hollow trail is an easier route to the peak of Hunter Mountain.

A 360 photo showing a Spruceton Trail to Hunter switchback.

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