Platte Clove

The area of Platte Clove known as Devil's Kitchen got its name due to the fact that the region is exceedingly difficult and dangerous for hikers.

In one hiking accident a man died in a place called Hell's Hole, and it took emergency medical services personnel three days to remove his body.

The cause of death four gunshot wounds inflicted two days earlier; police believe he was killed elsewhere and disposed of in Platte Clove.

He remains unidentified; the New York State Police continue to investigate the case under the name West Saugerties John Doe.

[3] On June 4 of the same year, Olivia Rose Belfiglio fell 100 feet from the top of a cliff and died at the bottom.

The steepest section, which ascends up the side of the area called Devil's Kitchen, starts at the corner of Becker Road in West Saugerties and climbs 1,200 vertical feet (366 m) in 2.2 miles (3.54 km) into Elka Park.

[5] Trucks and buses are banned from it throughout the year and all vehicle traffic is prohibited from it from November 1 to April 15, during which time it is not maintained or plowed.

The Tour de Trump bicycle race was routed through here, and the road proved so steep that even some of the top bicyclists in the world had to get off and walk their bikes (it was raining that day).

A narrow divide between two steep forest-covered mountainsides viewed from high above, with a tree, branches and leaves framing the view on the top and left. In the rear the land becomes flat, tinted blue at the horizon
Looking east through Platte Clove toward the Hudson River and the Taconic Mountains in Connecticut and Massachusetts beyond. Views like this were an inspiration to artists of the Hudson River School .