Riverside, ca to Denver, co

The grade between the Eisenhower tunnel isn't as terrible as it is often made out to be. It is, however, very long. If you're heading into Denver it's a downgrade. It isn't continuous, but you drop about 6000' overall in about 40 miles I think. There are several places to stop and let your brakes cool if you need. I've never needed to, even when heavy. But, I never race down a hill regardless.
I can't speak to running it when road conditions are marginal, because I don't. In my almost 3 years of driving, I have yet to chain and if conditions look like it might be required, I park it and wait. Hope I never have to. But, I do carry them because it's required during during certain months. And, I think I could put them on, if I had no other choice. But, my company doesn't want drivers to chain, it wants them to park it in a safe place until conditions improve. I have no problem being a lightweight where winter road conditions are concerned. If you want to call me a wimp for that, I'll completely agree with you. In my opinion, the best way to mitigate the increased hazard risks for winter driving conditions is to park it instead.

 

You will chain your nuts off running that in the winter. Like multiple times on one trip. And those particular chain areas are quite dangerous in their own right.

 

The last 2 times I ran it, it was the season! The last time was mid-february. Cold but no snow. The time before that was cool, warm for January and did snow. I ran at night and didn't chain. It was only the last pass that would have been marginal chain weather, but they didn't require then yet. I would have been in real trouble because the only chains I carry are 3/8"!