Mica Peak Conservation Area recently received grant funding for non-motorized recreation!
The project will produce a trail plan for the Mica Peak Conservation Area that will layout a sustainable, multiple-use trail system, establish recreation management policies, locate and design trail signage, create needed design plans, and obtain all necessary permitting to create a “shovel-ready” project.
Work is scheduled to be underway this year and you can help by submitting your trail data here: www.micapeaktrailplan.com
A majority (1500 acres approx) of Mica Peak’s West flank is public land. If beginning hiking from the Belmont trailhead you will likely remain on public land until reaching ‘Windy Point’ on the Radar Road at 4800′. A map is posted at this trailhead. The buildings and antennas at the summit are private property, please respect signage and barriers. Inland Empire Paper Company land surrounds most of the South side of the mountain. Walk in access is allowed without a permit, but users must follow the posted regulations.
Mica Peak can also be accessed on public land from the Northeast via Liberty Lake Regional Park. Logging companies and various private land flanks the other sides of the peak. Respect private property.
Hiking from Belmont Trailhead
A trail map is posted at this trailhead. When leaving the parking lot on the gravel road, pass around the gate and follow the signs to the left.
Hikes can be planned for a couple hours up to an all day excursion. If planning to make the summit expect 9-10 miles of hiking and 2500′ of elevation gain. Various viewpoints on ridge lines also make good destinations and cut the mileage down. No matter the hike you choose, plan on at least 2 miles round trip.
The first mile of hiking follows a well established dirt road through a logging operation on private property. Mileage markers every tenth of a mile mark the route, stay on the main road. Eventually after gaining 440′ the road enters the conservation area at 3135′ and flattens out. The trail markers stop here, continue to follow the road another .75 mile, where several roads and trails fork off and ascend the mountain. If staying on the road, it will switchback several times as it climbs the West face. Most user trails go steeply upward and are often deeply rutted by previous ORV use and subsequent erosion.
Stay tuned.. More details coming soon!
Hiking from Liberty Lake Regional Park
The route to Mica Peak from Liberty Lake Regional Park begins on the South side of the campground area. If not camping, you must park in the main parking lot and pay a small fee or park outside completely and walk in for free. During the winter months it is free to park inside in the main lot.
Spokane County Parks has published a trail map for the Mica Peak Conservation Area:
Click image for full-size, printable PDF map
The trailhead is located at the end of Belmont Road, past the town of Mica. This county road is plowed and sanded in the winter. Gravel parking area has ample room for school buses, horse trailers and passenger vehicles. A port-o-pottie is also located on site.
Getting to the Belmont Road Trailhead:
From Spokane Valley head South on Pines Road / State Highway 27 and follow for 8.5 miles
Turn left (east) onto Belmont Road and follow for 4.1 miles to the road’s end.
Weather changes quickly in the mountains and Mica Peak is no exception. The summit (5205′) receives several feet of snow and holds a snowpack from late-November to May, depending on the year. The peak averages 40-60 inches of rainfall a year (source).
