Limestack Mountain was named by Bob Marshall, who was among the first European-Americans to explore and map the Brooks Range.

In "Alaska Wilderness", Marshall describes his attempt to climb "one of the highest peaks on the Arctic Divide."

"Above me rose the last thousand feet of my mountain, just a gray stack of limestone.

"[1] Marshall continued to the summit, making the first recorded ascent of the peak.

[2] Topographically, "Limestack Mountain" is the highest point in a group of rugged peaks covering ten or more square miles, linked by a series of long, steep ridges.