The Peru Gazette

LEWIS, N.Y., July 13, 2026  — Champlain Area Trails invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Mount Inez Trail on Saturday, August 1, honoring the remarkable legacy of Inez Milholland, the women’s suffrage advocate, attorney, and longtime Lewis resident whose name now graces the mountain overlooking the Boquet Valley.

The celebration will bring together community members, local leaders, and project partners to commemorate both a new public trail and the successful effort to rename the mountain in recognition of Milholland’s lasting contributions to the fight for women’s voting rights and social justice.

The evening begins with a dedication ceremony featuring speakers who played key roles in the mountain renaming effort, followed by a special musical performance by students from the Meadowmount School of Music. After the ceremony, participants are invited to join a guided hike on the newly completed Mount Inez Trail or enjoy the shorter Meadowmount Woods Trail.

“Mount Inez is more than a beautiful destination—it’s a place where history, conservation, and community come together,” said Arin Burdo, Executive Director of Champlain Area Trails. “We’re excited to welcome everyone to experience this spectacular new trail while celebrating the extraordinary legacy of Inez Milholland and the community partnerships that made this project possible.”

The Mount Inez Trail is a 3.2-mile round-trip hike rated moderate to challenging, starting at the trailhead on Ray Woods Road in Lewis, NY. Hikers are rewarded with sweeping views of the High Peaks, the rocky ridgeline above the Boquet Valley, and the surrounding Champlain Valley landscape. The trail begins with a gradual climb before ascending more steeply during the final mile, gaining approximately 600 feet in elevation to the 1,566-foot summit.

For those seeking a shorter outing, the new Meadowmount Woods Trail offers a scenic 1.5-mile walk through beautiful forestland.

The event includes light refreshments and is generously sponsored by Covered Bridge Realty.

Parking at the trailhead is limited. Attendees are encouraged to park at the Meadowmount School of Music and take the complimentary shuttle to the trailhead between 4:15 p.m. and 4:50 p.m. Following the ceremony and hike, participants can return to their vehicles by walking the scenic Meadowmount Woods Trail.

Advance registration is requested.

For more information, contact Champlain Area Trails at (518)962-2287 or info@champlainareatrails.com.To register for the event or learn more about Champlain Area Trails, please visit www.champlainareatrails.com.

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About Champlain Area Trails:

Champlain Area Trails is a nonprofit organization and an accredited land trust founded in 2009, dedicated to creating and maintaining trails, protecting land, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality in New York’s Champlain Valley. Champlain Area Trails has created and maintains over 100 miles of trails, conserved 3,000 acres of land, and hosts numerous hikes, outdoor education outings, and volunteer events, engaging year-round residents and attracting thousands of visitors each year. Explore more at www.champlainareatrails.com