The historic Longmire Inn probably will remain open and shuttle buses may be used to ease traffic congestion in Mount Rainier National Park, Superintendent William Briggle said.

Those are some of Briggle’s impressions from hearings he attended last week, part of the process for developing a 20-year management plan to protect scenery, plants and wildlife in the 240,000-acre park.

The idea of closing the inn, Briggle said Monday, was a “hot button” that drew strong opposition. Park officials had suggested that the inn be closed to overnight use because of concern about volcanic activity, especially mudflows.

By contrast, he said he was leaning toward shuttle service on the Carbon River and Westside roads, both now closed to motor vehicles because of washouts.

Both probably would have to be moved to prevent more washouts, a dicey proposition because they adjoin a federally designated wilderness area, he said.

“I just don’t have the energy to go through that battle,” Briggle said, “and we probably wouldn’t win.”

Instead, he said, a small, electric tram might be installed along the old Carbon River Road, or visitors might be allowed by enter by horse and buggy.

“If we had reasonable ways into the Carbon River Road and the Westside Road, I think that would be accepted,” Briggle said.

Recommendations will be made on those ideas, as well as on proposals for road and campground closures, by the time an environmental impact statement is written and more hearings are held next year, Briggle said.