Take the trip. It's a beautiful drive. If you have the time take it both directions. I last took the drive in '01. When you get to the top there's a turn out with a walkway so you can view the scenery. I was standing there filming the view when a female mountain goat and her baby walked up behind me. Much fun.
Saw a few deer but no other critters.
The park did suffer a forest fire a couple of years ago so the scenery may have been affected, however it should still be beautiful.