Mica Peak

47°35′52″N 117°02′05″W / 47.597721°N 117.034755°W / 47.597721; -117.034755

Mica Peak, Idaho & Mica Peak, Washington
Mica Peak, Idaho (left) and Mica Peak, Washighton (right) as viewed from Eagle Peak in Spokane County.
Highest point
Elevation
  • Mica Peak (ID) 5,241 ft (1,597 m)[1]
  • Mica Peak (WA) 5,209 ft (1,588 m)[2]
Prominence2,661 ft (811 m)[1]
Coordinates47°37′20″N 116°59′18″W / 47.62219°N 116.988438°W / 47.62219; -116.988438 (ID)
47°34′24″N 117°04′52″W / 47.5732330°N 117.0810287°W / 47.5732330; -117.0810287 (WA)
Geography
Location
Parent rangeSelkirk Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Rockford Bay

Mica Peak is the name of two separate mountain summits in the United States located approximately 5.49 miles (9 km) 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 31 ft (9.4 m) and are the southernmost peaks of the Selkirk Mountains.

Other summits located along the same ridge include the 4,045 ft (1,233 m) Round Mountain, the 4,924 ft (1,501 m) Cable Peak, the 4,852 ft (1,479 m) Shasta Butte, and the 4,377 ft (1,334 m) 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.[3]

  1. ^ a b "Mica Peak, Idaho". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
  2. ^ "Mica Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
  3. ^ Bell, Jessica L. "Mica Peak and Prohibition". Spokane Historical. Retrieved 22 October 2021.