Adamsfield 4WD Track

[stepbystep]

Hi All,
Doing a daywalk into The Thumbs on Wednesday. Weather looks good....finally
I'm interested in the condition of the 4WD track to Adamsfield. Haven't been up there yet so don't know what to expect.
How badly do you think the track will be degraded from 2 days of this Southerly #$@* ?
I've got a Landcruiser but don't have the best clearance due to an LPG conversion.
Any info much appreciated.
Cheers, sbs

[norts]

Went past it on Sun 15th and it was locked.
Roger

[ILUVSWTAS]

I believe SBS has the key but wants to know what the road on the other side of the gate is like

What were you doing down that way Roger?

[norts]

Long Story Cut short
When we abonded Picton Circuit we decided to go to Adamsfield as we wouldnt be up in the mist.
Stayed a night at Edgar camp ground(beautiful night ) Both roads to Adamsfield had locked gates so we just drove to Gordon Dam and then went home.
1200kms from Thursday night until Sunday a/noon
I'm glad I dont pay for my diesel.

Roger

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeh you'll find most roads (forestry) in the south have locked gates. Keys can be organised but it's a pain in the neck. Pays to ring Forestry whenever going on a walk just to make sure roads are open and theres no activity going on in the area.

That is alot of driving! Lucky bugga not paying for your Deisel tho.... Wish i wish i wish i wish

[norts]

But then I cant just head out because its good weather. Very hit and miss with the weather when you have to plan your walks around work. I have had alot of aborted or changed walks this year.

Roger

[ILUVSWTAS]

Very true! now im only working part-time, I do have the luxury of being able to tell my bosses im not coming into work. With 24hrs notice of course

[stepbystep]

Cheers Roger,

Got the Clear Hill Key from FT and the Adamsfield Track key from PWS Go figure.
With all that rain I'm pretty sure Adamsfield Tk will be a bit slippery, not too far to walk from Clear Hill Rd to Adamsfield, it's the walk to The Thumbs that will get the blood pumpin'.
Wednesday looks like a cracker weatherwise. I had to can an overnighter at the last min 'cos the weather was 'orrible, but you know that, don't you!
Cheers, sbs

[ILUVSWTAS]

Cheers Roger,

Got the Clear Hill Key from FT and the Adamsfield Track key from PWS Go figure.
With all that rain I'm pretty sure Adamsfield Tk will be a bit slippery, not too far to walk from Clear Hill Rd to Adamsfield, it's the walk to The Thumbs that will get the blood pumpin'.
Wednesday looks like a cracker weatherwise. I had to can an overnighter at the last min 'cos the weather was 'orrible, but you know that, don't you!
Cheers, sbs

Dont speak about the weather too soon.. the SOUTHWEST is a different world altogether....
The water usually clears quite well after a dry day or 2 with a bit of luck we'll get fairly close................

[Buddy]

I know the Sawback track intimately. If your fourby has a lowish tow hitch, take it off. Lots of drains across the initial part of the track. Parks protocol is to go in through Sawback and out through Clear Hill. Both keys from Parks.Least al terrain tyres is satisfactory. Don't forget to visit Adams Falls for a spectacular view down into the 'mpoundment'. Turn right out of Morley's track to the confluence of Adam and Eve rivers at the bridge and quick scramble up the bank. Enjoy.

[stepbystep]

I know the Sawback track intimately. If your fourby has a lowish tow hitch, take it off. Lots of drains across the initial part of the track. Parks protocol is to go in through Sawback and out through Clear Hill. Both keys from Parks.Least al terrain tyres is satisfactory. Don't forget to visit Adams Falls for a spectacular view down into the 'mpoundment'. Turn right out of Morley's track to the confluence of Adam and Eve rivers at the bridge and quick scramble up the bank. Enjoy.

Cheers Buddy,
We aren't taking the Sawback Track but going via Clear Hill Rd then up Adamsfield Tk as far as possible.
The 4WD bit isn't the real reason for the trip, just a way to get as close to the start of the proposed walk to The Thumbs as possible.
I understand the Adamsfield Tk gets a bit hard core as you approach the open cut and township site???

The other trips you've mentioned aren't on the radar, maybe another day
Thanks for the info.

[stepbystep]

Cheers Roger,

Got the Clear Hill Key from FT and the Adamsfield Track key from PWS Go figure.
With all that rain I'm pretty sure Adamsfield Tk will be a bit slippery, not too far to walk from Clear Hill Rd to Adamsfield, it's the walk to The Thumbs that will get the blood pumpin'.
Wednesday looks like a cracker weatherwise. I had to can an overnighter at the last min 'cos the weather was 'orrible, but you know that, don't you!
Cheers, sbs

Dont speak about the weather too soon.. the SOUTHWEST is a different world altogether....
The water usually clears quite well after a dry day or 2 with a bit of luck we'll get fairly close................

I've ordered the supa-sopper to keep my toes dry

[ILUVSWTAS]

Forecast has changed again... May get some early drizzle. oh well, you get that in the SOUTHWEST!!
I'll have my supasoppers on my feet, I love my boots they keep my feet dry in just about any conditions, Just ask anyone I walk with and they'll tell you how sick they get of hearing about them....

[stepbystep]

Forecast has changed again... May get some early drizzle. oh well, you get that in the SOUTHWEST!!
I'll have my supasoppers on my feet, I love my boots they keep my feet dry in just about any conditions, Just ask anyone I walk with and they'll tell you how sick they get of hearing about them....

Bah humbug the drizzle will be in the East, that's why we're going West!
Only times my toes get wet is in the shower

[ILUVSWTAS]

Tomorrow:
Isolated drizzle about the south and east coasts and about the central north....

clearing though

And I agree HUMBUG!! doesnt really bother me what the weather is like on daywalks! You know it's only a few hrs you have to put up with it!!

[stepbystep]

Howdy,
Just an update: Track was pretty good for the first 4km or so from Clear Hill Road.
Beyond that you will need a vehicle with good clearance and a driver with half a clue
Buddy's advice re. removing tow hitch is good.
If your 4WD can't handle the steep gullies etc, it's a bit under 2km of extra walking if you were to go to The Thumbs from this area.
I'm thinking that going in via the Rasselas track would be a longer, but perhaps easier option
sbs

[ILUVSWTAS]

Half a Clue?? Mate your either INSANE or an INSANELY good 4wd 'er. I was more peakin in the car on the way in than I was on those cliffs on the eastern side of the range....

[flyfisher]

Track must have deteriorated, about 15 years ago I drove in to the Adamsfield Hilton (hut, now burnt) in my hi-ace van via the clear hill road which had recently been "fixed"by Hazells to allow for a drilling rig to access the area. I was meeting with some Huon valley 4wd club members who were coming in via the Saw Back Range track (which was at that time very hard core.) probably still is.

ff

[ILUVSWTAS]

We were wanred the Sawback track was worse by PWS. I certainly couldnt imagine going along there without the aid of another 4wd if needed. The road was good up unitl the huts. After that there were quite a few "trenches"

[stepbystep]

Track must have deteriorated, about 15 years ago I drove in to the Adamsfield Hilton (hut, now burnt) in my hi-ace van to meet with some Huon valley 4wd club members

coming in via the Saw Back Range track (which was at that time very hard core.)

ff

Hi ff,
from what I can tell the Saw Back Range track is still nasty, the trickiest point on Adamsfield Tk is going up the hill between the old townsite and the Hilton, some others have had a nasty bog there and cut up the track badly, I'm sure the wet winter has caused a heap of erosion, the gullies were quite deep and had to be avoided in a few spots, would be quite dangerous if wet.
A hi-ace, that's cool, I was telling SWTAS about a mate of mine with VW fastback, used to get into some astounding country in the Darling Ranges of WA.
sbs

[flyfisher]

Yeah sbs I have edited my previous post to clarify the conditions. The Hi-Ace is good off road with ground clearance as the body sits nice and high and articulation isn't bad for a vehicle of it's type.
Only limited grip though and you can't go down anything that you can't get back up. Reverse uphill is definite weak point.

ff

[Macca81]

last time i went thru adamsfield, i did 99% of it in 2wd. Mt Field NT has the key, $100 deposit, return key in the box and they rip up the credit card swipe paper thing.

so, how was the walk?

[ILUVSWTAS]

so, how was the walk?

theres a report and pics in the gallery.....

you wouldnt have gotten 2wd up there this time... rather you wouldnt get it out if you did get it in....

[rohjoe]

I contacted Parks & Wildlife today about getting a key to the Adamsfield Track for this weekend, but apparently all three keys are booked out.

My plan was to use the road to access a walk to The Thumbs on Saturday. I understand the need to limit 4WD access to this area, but it would be nice if there was a way of accommodating spur-of-the-moment bush walkers, especially when the weather forecast is good.

They recommend booking 2 weeks+ in advance.