The space intermediate between these two main ridges is
at first narrow, but gradually widens as they diverge from the starting
point; its interior (northwesterly) slope is drained by the Schoharie (a
branch of the Mohawk) and its tributaries, the East, the West, and
Batavia Kills. Singular gaps or cloves intersect the range, affording
easy communication with the lowlands bordering its base. Each clove has
its own stream, and in the main ones on the river front are found the
countless and beautiful waterfalls which constitute the chief
characteristic of Catskill scenery. The more primitive rocks of the
Highlands, the Adirondacs, and the White Mountains do not offer such
numerous and picturesque sheets of falling water as the red sandstone of
the Catskills.
Starting from Overlook Mountain, whence the view is said to be
magnificent, and proceeding northward, we first reach the Plattekill
Clove, up whose steep and wooded cleft winds a wild road, chiefly used
for quarrying purposes, and down whose abrupt declivity the Plattekill
leaps from crag to crag in a series of fine falls and cascades. The
quantity of water during the summer months, except after considerable
rain, is small, but the rock formations are very interesting, reminding
the traveller of wild passes in the Tyrol. This is perhaps the grandest
of all the Catskill clefts, but human ingenuity has here afforded no aid
to the sightseer, and strong heads and agile limbs are needed for the
enjoyment of its hidden beauties.
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