Management Unit 13

Hogan Hill

The road's vantage point on Hogan Hill provides apanoramic vista of the Alaska Range, TalkeetnaMountains and Chugach Mountains across lake-dottedlowlands, making this one of the most saeniaportions of the central Richardson Highway.

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General DescriptionManagement Unit 13 begins north of Hogan Hillnear Haggard Creek and extends south for approxi-mately nine miles along the west slope of thehill. This stretch of the central RichardsonHighway has particularly high scenic resourcevalues because it provides outstanding panoramicviews across the broad Gulkana River Lowlands tothe Talkeetna Mountains, the Alaska Range and theChugach Mountains. The sharply curving highwayalignment through fairly steep terrain at theedge of an embankment provides the traveler witha strong sense of the expansive landscape and a

fine expression of the Gulkana River Uplands.Unfortunately, the existing alignment alsoprovides very little opportunity for the travelerto safely stop along the road to enjoy the views,take photos, or identify specific landscape fea-tures .

DOTPF has recently developed a preliminary pro-posal for major realignments along Hogan Hillwhich would have both positive and negative visualimpacts. These are addressed more specificallyin the recommendations for Realignments.

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13 Hogan HillAssessment Units R14 — R19

NORTH 0

KEYImpact Mitigation-Recreationl "Realignment Proposals —~^-

R.eS1--Rest Area

State Owned Land

Federal Land

Private Land

12 mi.

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Throughout most of this unit, land adjacent tothe highway has a moderate visual absorption cap-ability due to the somewhat dense vegetation andvarying topography characteristic of the area.

Industrial land uses and developments such asmaterial sites, land clearings and the TransAlaska Pipeline-have the strongest visual impactwithin this management unit. There are no resi-dential or commercial structures visible from thehighway.

Retention: to retain those conditions which makethis a particularly significant and memorabledriving experience.

Enhancement: to enhance the traveler's opportunityfor understanding and appreciation of this land-scape.

Impact Mitigation: to take action to screen orreclaim those gravel sites and clearings with themost significant negative impact on the scenicexperience,

Sensitive Land I'se and Development: to encourageany fu ture deveiopnent to respond sensitively tothe scenic qualities of the landscape.

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Land Ownership &Management ResponsibilityThe manager of the majority of the land adjacentthe highway within this unit is currently theBureau of Land Management (BLM). However, theState has selected these lands. In addition,there is a one square mile section of state ten-tatively approved land located just north ofHaggard Creek. DOTPF manages a 300 foot right-of-way along the highway and Alyeska manages theTrans Alaska Pipeline right-of-way whichparallels and crosses the highway, never morethan one half mile away. There are Native cor-poration owned lands and other private land-holdings on the south side of Hogan Hill.

Visual ResourceManagement ObjectivesThe management recommendations presented for thisunit are based the objectives of: retention,enhancement, impact mitigation and sensitive land

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ManagementRecommendationsRealignmentsDOTPF has prepared a preliminary proposal forseveral realignments of the highway along HoganHill. The new alignments would strongly affectthe visual and experiential qualities of thedrive along Hogan Hill by flattening the curves,creating a much more even grade, and relocatingthe road slightly east of the existing align-ment. At the same time, they would provideopportunities for improving the traveler's safetyand enjoyment by creating safe stopping placesalong the roadside.

This is one unit where it is particularly impor-tant to consider scenic resources when makingrealignment decisions because it is one of themost scenic portions of the central RichardsonHighway. Therefore, it may be appropriate toaccept somewhat less efficient traffic movementin order to maintain this experience. Moredetailed outlines of the significant proposalsfollow.

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Real-1 Haggard Creek

There are two alternative alignment proposals forthis double curve which crosses Haggard Creek.The primary proposal would eliminate the doublecurve and maintain a single very broad, almostundetectable curve for approximately one mile.The second alternative would maintain the doublecurve but flatten it significantly. Addition-ally, the primary realignment proposal wouldascend the moderately steep hill with a routethat is almost perpendicular to its contours,potentially creating a more extreme visual impactthan either the existing or second alternativealignments.

The existing alignment is preferred from a scenicresource point of view because the character ofthe double curve and slow ascent of the hillenhance the appreciation of the surrounding gen-tle topography. For both realignments, the vaca-ted alignment will be a highly visible scar onthe hillside which also includes a new creekcrossing in an area that already has a signifi-cant scar from a previous alignment east of thepresent one. It would be critical to immediatelyreclaim the vacated alignment through activerevegetation practices.

Real-2 Northern Foot of Hogan Hill

There are two realignment proposals for thiswinding road at the foot of Hogan Hill. Theexisting road has five short curves with veryshort tangents which provides a visually inter-esting approach to Hogan Hill from the north,following along the edge of a steep bank. Theprimary alternative would completely remove allthese curves and create a much more direct and

monotonous approach. It would ascend directly upand over the hill as opposed to skirting alongthe base of the steep cut bank. The secondalternative would maintain the general locationof the road but would still eliminate the curvesand would potentially create a greater visualimpact by cutting deeper into the hillside. Thesecondary proposal would not provide adequatescreening vegetation between the new and thevacated alignments whereas the primary alter-native could. Neither alternative would signi-ficantly affect the more distant views.

In order to retain the interesting character ofthe present alignment, it is recommended that theexisting road configuration be maintained and up-graded as necessary through widening, clearinginside corners for visibility or other actions inpreference to realignment.

Real-3 West Slope- Hogan Hill: Potential Rest Area

The proposed realignment, approximately one halfmile long would create a wide clearing in theroad as it flattens the presently shallow curve.This particular section is the location of someof the finest views from Hogan Hill. Therealignment, if carefully planned, could providethe best opportunity for a much needed scenicviewpoint rest area on Hogan Hill. In order toaccomplish this, it will likely be necessary toredesign the curves of the realignment so thatadequate distance and vegetation remains betweenthe existing and new alignments to create a"loop" turnout out of the vacated alignment.This should be considered a high priority forrealignment, with the necessary recommended modi-fications. (See Rest Area/Interpretive Site(Rest-1) for further details). R39

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Real-4 Southwest Hogan Hill: Potential ScenicTurnout

The proposed realignment would flatten two minorcurves, creating long clearings at the roadsidewith little potential for vegetative screeningremaining between the two alignments. Westernviews across the Gulkana River Lowlands to thedistant mountains are spectacular and the roadwidenings would provide additional turnout spacefor scenic viewpoints. Right-of-way vegetationshould be retained to the extent possible to par-tially screen the clearing but avoid blocking theviews from the highway to the west.

Right-of-Way ManagementThe right-of-way within this unit, particularlyon the west side of the highway, is an importantvisual element in this unit's scenic experience.It is the foreground for some of the finest scen-ery along the central Richardson Highway andshould be specifically managed to retain andenhance this experience. General recommendationsfor right-of-way management along the RichardsonHighway can be found in the road overview sec-tion. The following recommendations are specificto this unit.

Right-of-way vegetation can be managed to eitherscreen objectionable views or to retain orenhance the distinctive views. For most of thelength of this unit on the west side of the high-way the vegetation should be managed to retainthe broad panoramic views across the lowlands tothe distant mountains. This will require keepingthe vegetation trimmed below the traveler's lineof sight. In other locations, it will requireselectively thinning the foreground vegetation toopen filtered views.

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Low-laying plants and some tall trees growing close tothe road edge, as well as the sinuous alignment, helpto blend the road with the natural landscape.

Where the views are strongly oriented to thewest, the east side right-of-way should bemanaged to minimize the road design impact and tomaintain the natural character of the landscape.For the most part, the current management prac-tices have allowed the vegetation to grow quiteclose to the road edge. This practice should becontinued as it is an effective means of blendingthe roadway into the landscape.

At the north end of this management unit near theHaggard Creek crossing, current management prac-tices include complete vegetation clearing

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for approximately 35 feet on either side of theroad to provide visibility and minimize wildliferoad kill.This, combined with the additionalclearing resulting from a vacated alignment atthe creek crossing, disrupts the foreground of anotherwise attractive landscape. Cleared slashshould be removed, and low brush vegetation ortrees should be encouraged in order to improvethe roadside appearance.

To reinforce the greenbelt, the right-of-wayshould also act as a buffer between the road andadjacent lands. All natural vegetation, otherthan that cleared for viewing opportunities orhighway visibility, should be retained. Neces-sary highway related land uses or access throughthe right-of-way should be located where visualabsorption capability is highest, such as behinddense vegetation or landform screens.

Greenbelts ___________________In this unit, greenbelts can be used effectivelyto reinforce other scenic resource managementpractices in retaining scenic natural areas. Thechanges in the orientation and depth of viewalong different portions of the road require thata distinction be made between these differentareas for the purposes of defining appropriategreenbelts.

West side - Central portion of unit: Within thecentral portion of this unit views are stronglyoriented to the west. Where the land slopessteeply away from the road and the vegetation isdense, the visual absorption capability is high.In these areas sensitively sited landscape alter-ations can sometimes occur close to the road and

will still not be visible from the road becauseof the viewer's orientation. However, the landmore distant from the road is quite visibilebecause of the viewer's superior orientation.With these conditions, more attention needs to begiven to the more distant lands in order toretain the wild and undeveloped character of thislandscape.

On BLM and state lands, a one mile greenbeltshould be established within which the followingguidelines should be followed:

• Large scale clearings should not occur.

• Small scale landscape alterations and permanentstructures must be located outside of view f r o mtlie roadway.

Any development of land outside this greenbelt,and within the seen area should be preceded bycareful visual analysis to determine an appro-priate location to minimize visibility from theroad.

On Native and other private lands, land ownersare encouraged to utilize the opportunitiesprovided by the landscape and viewer orientationto sensitively site development outside of viewfrom the road.

I East side - Central portion of unit; Within thecentral portion of this unit, land immediatelyadjacent to the road on the east side is highlyvisible due to its steep slope and lack of tall,dense vegetation. However, land further from theroad has varying degrees of visibility due to thechanges in the traveler's point of view. There-fore, on lands adjacent to the roadside, a 100foot greenbelt is recommended within which nolandscape alterations should occur. R41

North and south ends of unit: Along the northand south ends of this management unit, thetraveler's focus is oriented in all directions;therefore, different greenbelt recommendationsare appropriate. The fore and middleground ofthese lands are more prominent features in theview. Here, it is recommended that a 300 footgreenbelt be established on both sides of theroad within which no development should occur.Development beyond this greenbelt, particularlyland clearing, should be preceded by a carefulvisual analysis to determine the best location tominimize the visibility from the road.

Rest Area /Interpretive Sites (Rest)

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Currently, there are no safe opportunities fortravelers to stop at the side of the road to takeadvantage of the outstanding views from HoganHill.Development of safe and attractive roadsidescenic turnouts or a rest area should be con-sidered a priority for DOTPF in managing thiscorrido. Due to the location of the road on theedge of a steep embankment on Hogan Hill, thereare very few existing level areas which could bedeveloped for this purpose. However, recentlyproposed realignments provide the opportunity toimprove this situation. The following sites havebeen identified as potential rest area locations.

Rest-1 West Slope-Hogan Hill (First priority if recom-mended road realignment occurs). As discussed

under Realignments for this unit, a modifiedrealignment here offers an excellent opportunityCo develop a safe and much needed Rest AreaInterpretive Site for Hogan Hill. This locationwould provide some of the area's finest viewsacross the Gulkana River basin to the Talkeetnas,Chugach and Alaska Range, as well as an excellentexpression of the Gulkana River Uplands charactertype. Following are some guidelines for thedevelopment of this site:• Maintain the vacated alignment as a paved

entry-exit.• Maintain as much vegetation as possible within

the right-of-way between the two alignments toprovide screening.

• Establish a parking area on the east side ofthe vacated alignment.

• Develop the level areas on the west side aspicnic sites.

• Provide interpretive information on thelandscape character.

• Develop a foot trail through public land tothe lake on the west side.

• Provide signing on the highway 1/2 mile eitherside of rest area entrance.

If road realignment does not take place,there will be no rest area p'otential at thissite. However, the potential for developing aturnout will still exist. (See Turnouts).

Rest-2 Trans Alaska Pipeline Clearing (Second prior-ity).This former materialsite and clearingfor an underground pipeline road crossing Is lo-cated approximately 1/4 mile uphill from theroad, on the east side. It offers 220 degreepanoramic views of the Alaska Range and WrangellMountains and a close view of the pipeline as itsubmerges underground and crosses the site.DOTPF and Alyeska might Jointly develop this asan interpretive area with Information describingboth the landscape and the pipeline. Furthersite analysis will be necessary to determine theappropriate reclamation and development for thissite.

Recreation Access (Rec)While major recreation opportunities are notfound in this unit, trail and creek access are

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important issues. The following two trailheadsshould be developed.

Rcc-l Haggard Creek Trailhead. A small, two car,parking area is needed for this trailhead. Thearea is now disturbed with clearings and a vaca-ted alignment. The existing vacated alignmentshould be reclaimed as recommended under ImpactMitigation (M-l), providing a small gravel widen-ing for trailhead parking at the south end. Atrailhead information board could be located herefor hiker orientation. < ;.„?.,;-.

Rec-2 Sourdough Creek Access. There are several vaca-ted alignments located south of Hogan Hill whichcreate short, unpaved loop turnouts at the road-side. The southernmost of these could bedeveloped as a parking area with a public recre-ational access trail (about .15 mile long) toSourdough Creek. Selective thinning of the vege-tation on the east side would open nice views tothe Wrangell Mountains. Signing should be pro-vided on the highway to Indicate this access.

•' The road surface should be graded annually tomaintain access.

impact Mitigation (M)The most significant negative visual impacts inthis management unit are created by highway andpipeline associated material sites and otherclearings. The scale, contrast, road proximity,amd relatively frequent occurrence of these sitescombine to create distractive features in anotherwise highly scenic area. To fulfill theunit's visual resource management objectives, thesites identified for mitigation should be givenimmediate attention.

M - 1 Vacated Alignment. The large open clearing thatwas left at Haggard Creek when the road wasrealigned requires regrading and active revege-tation to blend this area with its natural sur-roundings. Only a small gravel area at the southend should be maintained for parking at theHaggard Creek Trailhead.

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Pipeline construction activities for gravel extrac-tion and road crossings created numerous landscapescars that are very visible from the road. Reveg-etation along the edges, leaving the exposed rockfaces for visual contrast and interest, would be thebest way to reclaim this site(M-B).

M - 2 Pipeline Clearings. A rather sharp color andline contrast is created by this highly visible,large clearing on the far north slope of HoganHill. Reclamation must include both regradlngand active revegetatlon. The impact of this siteis extremely high due to its visibility from longdistances on the north. This site should receive R43

immediate reclamation attention. A high brush(willow, alder) screen, both at the base of theclearings and within the right-of-way near thesite, would facilitate mitigation.

M - 3 Gravel Extraction Site. This site has exposedsoil and rock faces on the north side of HoganHill. Revegetation of only the gentler slopeswould provide adequate mitigation since exposureof the rock face Is an element of visual Interestand an expression of the hill's geology.

Land Use & Development

M - 4 Gravel Extraction Site. Extraction here hascreated a steep drop off on the east side of theroad that Is uncharacteristic of the naturaltopography. Construction of a vegetated bermadjacent to the site and within the right-of-waywould adequately screen the view and give thesite a more natural appearing landform.

M - 5 Pipeline Access Road. This site Is currentlybeing reclaimed with grasses planted in theclearing. If access is no longer necessary,planting trees and brush within the clearingwould speed reclamation.If access must be main-tained, seeding the area with flowering plants,such as lupine and vetch, would add visualinterest.

M - 6 Pipeline Crossing. This pipeline crossing

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resulted in large clearings on both sides of theroad at the southern foot of Hogan Hill, creatinga highly visible, very out-of-scale, out-of-character open space. This is a high prioritysite for reclamation.

On the east side of the road, the gentler slopesof the clearing should be revegetated with scat-tered spruce trees and dense, high brush toreturn the area to its more natural landcover.The steep rock cut faces and the access road canbe retained since the rock faces provide anelement of visual interest, and the access roadis used by local rock hounds.

On the west side of the road, the clearing shouldbe revegetated with scattered spruce and lowbrush to conform to the surrounding landcover. Asmall information turnout (gravel widening) couldbe created here to explain the construction ofthe pipeline and point out the pipeline crossing.

Native and other private landowners should be en-couraged to limit their development to homesitesand recreation uses. The most appropriate loca-tion for small scale permanent structures wouldbe on the east side of the large lake abuttingthese properties. This location would providethe opportunity to screen development from theroad if the structures are sited with a densebackdrop of vegetation to the east. One sharedaccess road s could connect with the highway andit should parallel the hill as much as possible.This may require an easement through public landsto the south. Federal and state public landmanagement practices should give a high priorityto retaining and enhancing scenic resourcevalues. Development of these lands should bediscouraged.

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