[hankaye]

airforceret, Howdy;

Very ambitious travel plan for the return trip.
Have a brother that lived and worked at the Winter Park
Resort for 20 or so years. His nickname for the place is
"The Never Summer Ranch". He now lives in Coco Beach, Fl.

You will be traveling through the heart of the Rockies, more
then a few high gradient areas (up as well as down).
Even though the National road way is highlighted in the
Commercial Driver's edition of a Rand-McNalley that doesn't
show the section between Empire and Winter Park, 47 miles
of non highlighted road where they do not allow regular trucking
activity. Something to consider.

I've not been up there myself, but even Google Earth recommends
jumping off of 40 at Kremmling and taking Rout 9 South to I-70 at
Silverthorne, Co. Then you are running in a Valley of sorts. Similar
to driving with the rows in a corn field as opposed to across the rows
like you would if you stay on 40.

Just my opinion and thoughts ...

hankaye