TMax-N-Topo's Hostel

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Topo’s Story:

 

In 2003, the evening of November 21 was an unusually warm one for the Adirondack High Peaks. It was then that topofgothics (David – AKA – top-of-gothics) walked through the Adirondack Loj’s parking lot just as a young woman was getting out of her car. He may have made an unflattering remark about the car (her first brand new car), and he also later offered to share his bottle of wine with TMax (Terri). Likely as not she had the thought “who is this rough-hewn stranger that was trying to get me drunk.’”

Given all that, she agreed that they could hike Algonquin together the next day. While that Saturday the mountain was cloaked in a shroud and giving up few views, the companionship was more than amicable. Sunday morning they parted ways.

TMax would soon offer to take topofgothics hiking in the winter, something he thought was just a bit nuts. The trip they’d met on was the most out-of-season that he’d ever visited the Adirondacks. With that being said, on February 28 2004 they climbed Phelps together on an absolutely perfect blue-bird day with temps just below freezing and strangely enough, no wind! For Christmas that year, TMax gifted a package containing a small green stuffed amphibian (who conveyed a promissory note in his backpack) to topofgothics. Months later the frog was observed studiously going over the High Peaks map and analyzing the squiggly lines on the map. “You’re name should be Topo (top-o)”. ‘No’ he said, ‘my name should be Topo (tow-po)’. Topo it was, and has been since.

Over the next few years they travelled to places to hike, engaged in dialectics and had Grand Adventures. While TMax occasionally went out to climb bigger mountains in the west (sometimes Topo coaxed his way along), their adventures together were confined to the east coast, usually the Adirondack High Peaks.

The Lake Placid Independence Day fireworks in 2008 must have been one heck of a show, since afterward some kind of magic happened. That night they went from being hiking partners and friends to what would evolve into TMax-n-Topo.

Since they were from two different parts of New York State, a plan was needed as they sought a path to live in the High Peak region. TMax would need to stay based just outside the Adirondack Forest Preserve for occupational reasons (necessitating her 6 hour commute on weekends for the first nine years) but the thought of running a small hostel was born, though neither knew that Topo had grander plans than their original ‘dinky’ idea. To add to the ‘street cred’, topofgothics and Topo headed out to hike the Appalachian Trail in March of 2009. This was a Grand Adventure in itself, though more thought should have been given to separating from someone you recently entered into a committed relationship with. That is another story.

n was needed as they sought a path to live in the High Peak region. TMax would need to stay based just outside the Adirondack Forest Preserve for occupational reasons (necessitating her 6 hour commute on weekends for the first nine years) but the thought of running a small hostel was born, though neither knew that Topo had grander plans than their original ‘dinky’ idea. To add to the ‘street cred’, topofgothics and Topo headed out to hike the Appalachian Trail in March of 2009. This was a Grand Adventure in itself, though more thought should have been given to separating from someone you recently entered into a committed relationship with. That is another story.

Bunk Rooms

TMax-n-Topo’s offers not only very comfortable shared bunkrooms, but also two very spacious motel rooms. In the summer months, we also have a Coleman pop-up camper available which can sleep up to four guests.

Dixes Private Room

The Dixes is a spacious motel room with two double beds and a single bed. It comes equpipped withs two double beds and one single bed. While all Hostel guests have use of the fully stocked common kitchen, the Dixes also has a mid-size refrigerator, coffee pot and microwave.

Roaring Brook Suite

The Roaring Book Suite is a small apartment with a full kitchen, master bedroom, and a sitting room. WIth two double beds and two single beds, the suite can comfortably sleep up to six guests.

Hostel Photos

full kitchen

Free Wifi

large deck

Library

Games

Fire pit

smart tv

rent the entire hostel at a              discount!                (maximum of 34 guests)

stay 6 consecutive nights and the 7th is on Topo!

(not literally, you cannot sleep atop topo)

General Policies
  • Guests under 18 must be unaccompanied by a parent or guardian
  • Bunks and private motel rooms are a two-night minimum on holiday and winter weekends
  • Private motel rooms are a two-night minimum on all weekends
Cancellation Policy

Reservations are held with a valid Visa card, Master Charge card, Discover card or check. For groups of 12 or more, changes or cancellations within 30 days are subject to full payment. For reservations for less than 12 guests, changes or cancellations within 14 days are subject to full payment. In case of any changes or cancellations to your reservation, no one will be charged if TMax-n-Topo’s is at maximum occupancy for those dates. If you have any questions, please call us at

(518)523-0123 

Pet Policy

TMax-n-Topo’s has decided at this time to allow pets in the private rooms of our facility. The following is a list of conditions that need to be observed to permit this policy to continue into the future.

1. Pets are not allowed in any hostel common areas, including the bunkroom portion of the Hostel. There is a side door with a hallway leading to the private rooms. Please use that entranceway.
2. Pets are never permitted to be left alone either in your room or outside the Hostel when the last guest of your group has left the grounds. Also, please keep your pet from making noise that might bother other guests.
3. Pets are not permitted to lay or sleep atop the beds, furniture or any hostel bedding.
4. In the event that there are any incidental charges for breakage or cleanup due to the pet (pet hair and drool left behind being a main concern), a cleaning fee will be applied after the effect. The minimum cleaning fee will be $30.
5. Guests can feel free to walk their pets on the hostel grounds, but any pet droppings must be picked up and disposed of properly.

We ask that you respect these policies. Adherence to them will allow for pet lovers to continue to have a place to bring their loved ones. Thank you from TMax-n-Topo.

Availability Calendar

Below is our availability calendar rendering the hostel vacancies for each room. Be aware that the calendar is not updated in real-time and some dates vacancies may not be currently accurate. Please contact us with questions or concerns. 

The number displayed next to “Bunks” represents bunks available

If there is any issue with submitting your request, please email TMax-n-Topo’s @ TMax.N.Topo@gmail.com. Thank you for your patience.

Please select the the date’s you would like to stay and complete the following form:
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First and Last Name*:

Email*:

Phone*:

Select Room*:

Number of Guests*:

David (topofgothics) hiked Marcy, his first High Peak on September 21st 1996. TMax (Terri) discovered her passion for mountains in the Catskills, and found her way to the Adirondacks a few years after topofgothics.  We both love the area and have fantasized about having a hostel here for a long time. We are both 46rs and Winter 46rs. Both are experienced in climbing these peaks and can offer lots of information to aspiring 46ers or anyone simply out for a stroll.

David completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2009 and has climbed a few big peaks out west. He also enjoys downhill skiing and canoeing.

Terri is working on hiking all of the state high-points, having summitted most of the State High Points in the west.

Topo is the comfortable-looking frog who love Adirondack Adventures! He was a gift from TMax to topofgothics years ago and has been on almost every hike with him since. He oversees the operations of the hostel and makes sure we are getting our work done. Keep your eyes open for him, you never know when he’ll pop out!

Stayed here for a few nights on a recent hiking trip. Amazing value, very friendly and helpful proprietors, plenty of space, ideal location for nearby Mt. Marcy and Adirondack Loj trailhead”
-John - Tom Capper, 5 of 5 stars

Great hostel for hiking the high peaks in the Adirondacks. Friendly owners and clean facilities.
- Ryan Standish, 5 of 5 stars

Stayed here for a few nights on a recent hiking trip. Amazing value, very friendly and helpful proprietors, plenty of space, ideal location for nearby Mt. Marcy and Adirondack Loj trailhead”
-John - Tom Capper, 5 of 5 stars

Address:

5046 Cascade Road 

Lake Placid, NY 12946

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