Canon city to del nort

This summer I will probably be going out to South Fork, Co basically from Garden City, Ks. I have come to dread La Vita Pass. My rig, I pull a Jeep, barely makes it over the top. I read that La Vita is a 6 percent grade. So, trying to research a less strenuous way to get there. I may have found it, but, would like some thoughts/guidance or tell me if I'm wrong. What about a route where I go through Pueblo, Canon City, continue past Salida, turn left somewhere around Poncho Springs and take 285 down to Center, Del Norte and on to South Fork. I read that Poncho is only a 3 percent grade. Maybe you could tell me where to go?:h