With An Unusual Name And A Claim To Fame, Mount Porte Crayon Is A Unique Spot In West Virginia

Are there no end to the fascinatingly unique spots hiding throughout the mountains of West Virginia? Apparently not, although this one might be one of the state's most unusual, both in name and in claim to fame.

Perched on the highest, largest plateau in eastern North America, deep in the Roaring Plains Wilderness in the far northeastern corner of West Virginia's beautiful Randolph County, is a mountain. But this is not just any mountain; it's a 4,770 foot tall mountain that stands as the tallest point in the Allegheny Front, and the sixth highest point in West Virginia.

Its red-spruce sided slopes are home to two endangered species, the northern flying squirrel and the Cheat Mountain salamander. It's infamous for its inclement weather, rapidly changing conditions, and strong westerly winds.

It's a wild, rugged, cold beast of a peak, one of West Virginia's least accessible mountains, with an unusual name to match its unusual scape: Mount Porte Crayon.

Named for local writer and illustrator David Hunter Strother, who went by the penname of "Porte Crayon," this mountain stands as a legacy of this Union Civil War Brigadier General and Berkeley Springs innkeeper.

There are no trails to the top of this lonely peak, but the adventurous, well-prepared hiker can access the summit via the Flat Rock Run Trail or the Roaring Plains Trail.

It's a difficult five to six mile one way trek, though, with at least three miles of off-trail bush-whacking through thick brush, and a 2,500 foot elevation gain.

But there certainly are some beautiful views along the way to the summit to reward you for your effort!

Have you tackled Mount Porte Crayon? Did you know the inspiration behind its unique name?

To learn more about this wild, rugged peak and how to access it, visit the Alltrails website. Or you can opt for a much easier hike that takes you right up to some amazing views from the tallest peak in West Virginia.