West Virginia Highlands Voice

by Dave Saville

The Benchmark on top of Mt. Porte Crayon, one of West Virginia’s highest points. Very difficult and long journey. There is a route that must be followed very carefully or else get caught in impenetrable laurel “hells.” Before the Mountain was named to honor “Porte Crayon,” the pen name of David Hunter Strother, famous author and artist, it was called “Thunder Struck Mountain.” On an expedition there in June 2006, I’m not sure that we would have found that spot that day had we not had GPS units with us. From Laneville, this hike has 2250ft of vertical (2510-4760) making it one of the greatest elevation gains of any hike in the state, (that I can think of). We got lost on the way down and had to bushwhack for several miles. 16 miles round trip.