Nah, the jeep stinks at any speed. When the DW purchased it for our AK trip, I figured it was just for fetching groceries and meeting guides. Now she has added a lift kit and big AT tires. It is definitely not a touring vehicle, in my book.
If we still find time to head over to the mountains, we will probably take the route you recommended and sightsee from there. Perhaps that would be a good time to discuss a toad upgrade
Thanks!