TRAILS -- A Mica Peak Trail Plan has been approved for the 911-acre conservation area and Spokane County Parks and Recreation planners say work could begin this summer.

The plan features a 2.65-mile mountain biking downhill flow trail and 11 miles of multi-use trails. The non-motorized routes take full advantage of area's elevation profile, which ranges from 2,800 to 4,800 feet. The plan also calls for decommissioning miles of trails, roads and unauthorized routes, some of which made by illegal ATV and dirt bike riding. (See maps above.)

Eventually, routes from the Mica Peak area could extend into neighboring properties and east to Liberty Lake Regional Park creating a unique extended backcountry experience within easy reach of urban residents.

Last year, trail consultants and volunteers on bike, horse and foot mapped existing routes on the mountain slopes. They identified viewpoints, ridges and other highlights they would want the trail system to include. They also mapped trouble spots such as routes through wetlands and eroded areas that need to be avoided or fixed.

Park planner Paul Knowles said the county is applying for state grants and will tap volunteer groups for doing much of the trail work. "We should know in a few months whether we qualify for the grants," he said. "We could be getting to work on trails this summer."