Skedaddle Mountain is known to many people for different attributes. Rockhounds enjoy exploring it, just as much as a chukar hunter. Whatever the case may be, many are not aware how it got its name.

Skedaddle was a Civil War term used primarily by Southerners meaning “to flee”. The mountains were named by the Kidder & Ives state line boundary survey crew in 1863. Their formal report stated: “The line crosses Honey Lake Valley east of the lake, about eight miles and thirty-eight chains west of High Rock Spring, from thence over a barren volcanic country to Rush Creek, crossing said creek one quarter of a mile east of Rush Creek Station. Between High Rock Spring and Rush Creek, a small valley, hitherto undiscovered, and named by us Skedaddle Valley, from the following circumstance, viz: On first discovering it we found a number of Pi Utes, of the Smoke Creek Band, who seized their weapons and rushed to the rocks, apparently to give us a warm reception. We immediately signaled them, held a parley, and induced some four of them to visit our camp. I then thought it best, in company with one man, to visit the Indian encampment, leaving orders to retain the Indians in our camp until my return. Soon after arriving at one of their bough houses, where we found several more Indians, we were recalled by one of our men, who stated that those retained in camp had escaped, not heeding the weapons which were aimed at them, but not fired. I then deemed it best to move camp that night, which was done, arriving at Mud Springs [Bull Flat] about twelve o’clock. Luckily, the line had been run the soldiers who went there to hunt the Indians, that there must have been at least fifty camped at that point, and they must have departed almost simultaneously with ourselves. I have consequently named the place Skedaddle Valley, thinking, however, that the victory was on our side, as we captured one gun from the enemy.”

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