Seven Tubs Natural Area

The Seven Tubs Natural Area is a publicly accessible recreation area located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and owned by the Luzerne County parks and recreation department. Continuously flowing glacial melt-water gouged a line of smooth tubs in gritty sandstone over 12,000 years ago. [Ostrander, Stephen. "Great Natural Areas in Eastern PA." Google.com. 17 Mar 2008 .] The tubs are potholes formed by the flowing water. The site is part of a convert|527|acre|km2|sing=on nature area in the Pennsylvania mountains about four miles (6 km) south of downtown Wilkes-Barre. [Litchman , Lori. "Seven Tubs Natural Area, Luzerne County." Greentreks Network. 2006. 19 Mar 2008 .] The site is popular among hikers for its easy accessibility and beginner-level hiking environment.

Natural History

The glaciers of the Ice Age were instrumental in shaping the physical features of the natural world that we see today. They too are responsible for the formations of the tubs. As water melts over long periods of time, its eroding capabilities become much more substantial. Glacial melting produced large volumes of flowing water for many years, contributing to formations in the different types of rock common to the area. Common geological rock classifications in the area are limestone, shale, and coal, but the tubs are formed mainly out of gritty sandstone. ["Archbald Pothole State Park." DCNR. 2008. 18 Mar 2008 .]

"Wheelbarrow Run" is a stream that runs through the tubs and eventually meets up with the larger "Laurel Run". [Ostrander, Stephen. "Great Natural Areas in Eastern PA." Google.com. 17 Mar 2008 ] Both flows have cut gorges and canyons out of the surrounding landscapes that have created an opportunity for hikers to explore. This area is known as "Whirlpool Valley". ["Archbald Pothole State Park." DCNR. 2008. 18 Mar 2008 .]

Wildlife

Trees

There is a multitude of categories of foliage in the area. The trees in the area vary greatly and are fairly dense in vegetation. The vegetation surrounding the tubs includes hemlock and yellow, grey, and black birch trees, as well as white and red chestnuts. Bear Oaks are a common sight among the foliage as well as the tulip tree, red and striped maples, big-tooth and quaking aspens, american sycamore, american beech, white ash, slippery elm, sassafras, white gum, witch hazel, flowering dogwood, staghorn sumac, as well as white, red, and pitch pines. [Ostrander, Stephen. "Great Natural Areas in Eastern PA." Google.com. 17 Mar 2008 ]

Flora

Wildflowers are a common site among the foliage around the tubs and the surrounding forests. The northeast is home to many different types of wildflower and the tubs is no exception.

"About 60 kinds of wildflowers have been observed, including pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea), wild lettuce (Prenanthes alba), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), closed gentian (Gentiana andrewsii), pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule), self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), small round-leaved orchis (Orchisrotundifolia), and harebell (Campanula rotundifolia). Trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia), and blueberry also thrive here." [Ostrander, Stephen. "Great Natural Areas in Eastern PA." Google.com. 17 Mar 2008 .]

Birds

Bird-watchers can gain a glimpse of many species of birds through a visitation of the tubs. The tubs offer a possibility to view some of the birds that are becoming a rarity in the northeast region of the state. Depending on the seasonality of the birds in the area and the time at which hikers and visitors experience the tubs, different bird types can be viewed and observed. Common to the area are the whippoorwill and saw-whet owl, both of which are becoming scarce across much of their normal habitat. Also, the barred owl, rufous-sided towhee, yellow-shafted flicker, brown thrasher, and eastern wood pewee can be seen here. Game birds are frequent to the area as well and include wild turkey and ruffed grouse. [Ostrander, Stephen. "Great Natural Areas in Eastern PA." Google.com. 17 Mar 2008 .]

Mammals

Not only does the tubs provide a wide array of foliage and flora, many mammalian species can be observed in their natural habitats. A diverse spectrum of animal size can be observed, some to be taken more seriously than others. Deer, long-tailed weasel, red and gray foxes, opossum, and brown bat are all creatures that may be encountered through a visit to the tubs. [Ostrander, Stephen. "Great Natural Areas in Eastern PA." Google.com. 17 Mar 2008 .] Perhaps of most concern is the possible encounter of a black bear. Black bears can seem like docile creatures and are the smallest of the three types of bears in the northeast section of the country; however they should be heeded with great caution. Bear sightings are not extremely frequent, but they do reside in the area. If confronted by a black bear, it is highly recommended to “speak calmly and back away slowly”. ["What if I see a Black Bear?." The North American Bear Center. 2008. 16 Mar 2008 .]

What to expect

Certain elements of the path are wheelchair accessible and stairs are used in a few select locations to aid in descending the terrain. Also, the shade brought about by the foliage as well as the coolness of the water and its flow, all contribute to a drop in temperature in close proximity to the tubs. [Litchman , Lori. "Seven Tubs Natural Area, Luzerne County." Greentreks Network. 2006. 19 Mar 2008 .] Be wary of loose rocks and slippery moss, for they have a tendency to cause loose footing. There are not many signs that warn of these dangers, so be cautious in hiking the intricacies of the tubs. [Ostrander, Stephen. "Great Natural Areas in Eastern PA." Google.com. 17 Mar 2008 .]

Nearby attractions

There are many state parks around the northeast part of Pennsylvania. Closest in proximity to the tubs are Archbald Pothole, Ricketts Glenn, Frances Slocum, Tobyhanna, and Gouldsboro parks. Although many of the parks of the northeast Pennsylvania region have similar overall characteristics, each also has individual features that can provide a different nature experience.

References