Thanks everyone - it was an amazing trip with an amazing result. While I am (was?) an Elk Hunting rookie - I've hunted whitetails for 18 years or so, including 3-4 day camping trips in the snow in Vermont and Maine, and have sat through many a long cold day in a deer stand not seeing anything. So, Elk hunting can be the same in some ways, but completely different at the same time.
For those of you thinking about a trip - go for it, and then come back and share the story.
Some random thoughts: I'm already thinking about next year - can I devote the full 2 weeks? Solo was rewarding, but I'd love to have someone join me. My cow calling sucked under pressure and I need a lot of work. I need to give better thought to accessible high points where I can "listen" for bugles after dark and before dawn. I feel like I may have blown certain elk or herds out of certain areas. My gear was pretty well thought out, but I can improve some here. Backpack hunting is damn tough when you're trying to haul that gear on your back chasing a herd of Elk up a mountain - need to give better thought to Base/Spike/Bivy hunting and benefits of each. AKHUNTER mentioned the decoy - I had one in the truck, and ended up leaving it behind because I felt like I was over complicating things as a rookie, but I do feel I can find a way to incorporate it next time. Have to start putting in for tags across the West....
In any case - glad everyone enjoyed the story!