The Devil's Backbone is in the Mt Hartz National park and comprises the long broken ridge starting in the north and leading to Mt Hartz. It is a prominent feature in the final part of the drive to the Mt Hartz car park. I have been thinking about climbing up to the high point for about 20 years now, which might classify as procrastination. Initially you take the tourist track to Lake Osbourne, which starts at the nw corner of the car park. After 20 minutes you reach Lake Osbourne and then follow a less well defined but long standing trail to Lake Perry. This runs over the small hill to the east of Lake Osbourne, through a small gulley, across a bit of a bog and to the beautiful little beach on the SE corner of Lake Perry. From there a good pad takes you along the morraine ridge which runs around to a ridge leading directly to the top of the Backbone. The track disappears over the last few hundred metres of ascent, or at least it did for me. Not surprising as you need to fight your way up one of the steep gulleys in between the greasy rock faces. The gulleys are naturally choked with the usual suspects, scoparia and cutting grass, as well as a few pandani and small fagus. The high point cairn is about 75 metres north of where you pop out on the ridge assuming you go almost straight up. The views to Hartz, Snowy and Adamsons are excellent, most of the further peaks SW and W were obscured in cloud. Return the same way, total walking time about 2 hours 45 mins. I rate this one 3 out of 5, mostly because it has one of the best names for any peak in Tassie, but also for the lovely lakes and seriously good views.
bw