News

June 9, 2008

Appreciating nature is easy at local natural wonder

Swirling glacier waters during the last Ice Age formed the Tubs.

EILEEN GODIN Times Leader Correspondent

PLAINS TWP. – While the weekend heat and humidity blanketed the Wyoming Valley, a group of 11 hikers discovered the cool uniqueness of the Seven Tubs Nature Area off Route 115.

Bob Wasilewski, of the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society, led the group under a canopy of eastern hemlock, chestnut oak and black birch trees and down the “ship’s ladder,” steep metal steps that go into the gorge.

The natural wonder was formed by the swirling glacier waters from the last Ice Age, carving tubs or potholes in hard gray stone.

Green moss and dripping wet rock ledges made for some cool relief from the sun and humidity. Wasilewski confirmed what the hikers were feeling.

“The gorge and the water keep the air a bit cooler by the Tubs,” he said.

He led the group out of the ravine and up the two-mile trail. The trail, marked by blue paint, was mapped out when the park opened in 1992.

The nature area was acquired through several land purchases and donations, he said. It is now run by the Luzerne County Parks Department.

The Nature Conservancy and Wilkes University Committee for a Clean Environment formed The Tubs Committee in the mid-1970s to clean up the natural wonder.

“There were all types of garbage down in the Tubs -- furniture, and appliances. It took seven large dump-truck loads of trash to clean it out,” Wasilewski said.

Armed with binoculars, the hikers were ready to observe wildlife. Wasilewski has seen a variety of birds, white tail deer, and even a bear with cubs.

Along the trail, he stopped to show teaberries, blueberries, sassafras. An ovenbird merrily sang, and Wasilewski said he often can find many varieties of birds there.

“The ovenbird with his teacher-teacher-teacher song is a ground nesting bird,” he said. “Its nest looks like an old brick oven.”

Mary Lou Foley, of Moosic, said she enjoys walking along the water and listening for the birds.

Hikers also routinely can find different varieties of butterflies, leopard frogs and small green frogs.

Wasilewski said the trail was of a moderate ruggedness. The lower section of the area is handicapped accessible.

If you go

Directions: From Interstate 81, follow Route 115 south for 1.6 miles. Make a sharp right turn into the entrance road, which is marked by a sign. Parking is a fifth of a mile down the hill. It is about four miles from Wilkes-Barre.

Amenities: Rustic picnic area.

Cost: No charge.

Bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, bug spray with DEET, drinking water, binoculars and a camera.

Tweet	Follow @TLnews