On our trip to Tasmania we decided to tackle the Saw Back Range trail in the South West Heritage area. The track is rated as difficult and the people we spoke to indicated this may be an understatement. Access to the track is via a locked gate (one way only track) and the key is available from the ranger at Mount Field National Park. The number of people allowed on the track is limited and booking a key is recommended.
This was arguably the best 4WD day out I’ve ever had but I would caution anyone contemplating the trip that it is not suitable for standard vehicles. As a minimum you will need.
Suspension Lift
Good Tyres (preferable MT)
Winch and a good recovery kit (and be confident in using it)
Locker(s) would also be very handy
After picking up a key be headed of to the start of the track.
The Saw Back Range:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03452.jpg)
Start of the trail:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03453.jpg)
At the beginning of the trail we were glad to meet up with a few locals in a couple of well equipped 80 series and 70 series utes. Who were surpried we were taking a Prado on the trail.
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03454.jpg)
After introductions we headed of down the trail. The beginning of the trail was stright forward:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03458.jpg)
But the bush soon become mor dense:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03467.jpg)
And it wasn't long before the chainsaw was needed:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03464.jpg)
It wasn't long before things got muddy:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03501.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03503.jpg)
And then the holes started getting deeper.
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03483.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03485.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03476.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03507.jpg)
Happy to say the Prado surprised our new friends going everywhere the 80s/70s could.
The trail ends at Adamsfield, an old mining town, but the sign is about all that remains:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03537.jpg)
The scenery is spectacular:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03512.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03540.jpg)
Then the final treat for the day was this over bonnet water crossing (found out later there is a much shallower crossing a little further down).
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03541.jpg)
This was a fantastic trip that I fully recommend for experienced and prepaired 4WDers.
Leachy
This was arguably the best 4WD day out I’ve ever had but I would caution anyone contemplating the trip that it is not suitable for standard vehicles. As a minimum you will need.
Suspension Lift
Good Tyres (preferable MT)
Winch and a good recovery kit (and be confident in using it)
Locker(s) would also be very handy
After picking up a key be headed of to the start of the track.
The Saw Back Range:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03452.jpg)
Start of the trail:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03453.jpg)
At the beginning of the trail we were glad to meet up with a few locals in a couple of well equipped 80 series and 70 series utes. Who were surpried we were taking a Prado on the trail.
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03454.jpg)
After introductions we headed of down the trail. The beginning of the trail was stright forward:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03458.jpg)
But the bush soon become mor dense:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03467.jpg)
And it wasn't long before the chainsaw was needed:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03464.jpg)
It wasn't long before things got muddy:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03501.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03503.jpg)
And then the holes started getting deeper.
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03483.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03485.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03476.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03507.jpg)
Happy to say the Prado surprised our new friends going everywhere the 80s/70s could.
The trail ends at Adamsfield, an old mining town, but the sign is about all that remains:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03537.jpg)
The scenery is spectacular:
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03512.jpg)
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03540.jpg)
Then the final treat for the day was this over bonnet water crossing (found out later there is a much shallower crossing a little further down).
![](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x213/leachy_9/Saw%20Back%20Mountain%20Range/DSC03541.jpg)
This was a fantastic trip that I fully recommend for experienced and prepaired 4WDers.
Leachy
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