I made it halfway down the other side of the pass - on my way to see the allergy doctor - only to learn that the pass was closed. Apparently an avalanche was being cleared away and it took several hours.
I wish I hadn't wasted an hour each direction and a 1/4 tank of gas.
On the plus side I ran into a friend on the way back and we had brunch at a neat little place I'd never been to... it was good to chat with her and her kids and the food was delicious.