| Mica Peak, Idaho & Mica Peak, Washington | |
| Prominence Ft: | 2661 |
| Range: | Selkirk Mountains |
| Coordinates: | 47.6222°N -116.9884°W (ID) 47.5732°N -117.081°W (WA) |
| Topo: | USGS Rockford Bay |
Mica Peak is the name of two separate mountain summits in the United States located approximately 5.49miles apart; one in Spokane County, Washington and the other in Kootenai County, Idaho. The two peaks are located along the same ridge, which separates the Spokane Valley and Rathdrum Prairie from the Palouse. The mountains have an elevation difference of only 31feet and are the southernmost peaks of the Selkirk Mountains.
Other summits located along the same ridge include the 4045feet Round Mountain, the 4924feet Cable Peak, the 4852feet Shasta Butte, and the 4377feet Blossom Mountain.
During the Prohibition Era Mica Peak was the site of numerous bootlegging operations. The mountainous and thickly forested terrain provided cover that allowed the bootleggers to hide their stills. Most were small, individual operations but some larger commercial endeavors existed as well. The mountain's location on the state line, which inconsistently demarcated in the area, made the location even more ideal for the illegal ventures as Idaho and Washington authorities could be easily tricked into believing the stills were located just outside of their jurisdiction.[1]
Mica Peak or Signal Point—located in Kootenai County—is the higher of the two peaks with an elevation of 5243feet. State Line is the closest city at NaNmiles away.
The name Signal Point is derived from a ski lodge of the same name that operated on the northeast face of the mountain in the The ski lodge utilized a rope tow and the lodge building can be seen as a dot on topographic maps from the time period but is no longer standing.[2] [3] [4]
Mica Peak (Washington)—located in Spokane County—is the lower of the two peaks with an elevation of 5209feet.The mountain is the southernmost peak in the Selkirk range.[5] The peak is home to the now-decommissioned Mica Peak Air Force Station. The northern slopes are drained by Saltese Creek. The mountain dominates the view to the east and southeast from the city of Spokane Valley.