sounds like a great trip there Griz, never hunted in Grand mesa area, but did snowmobile in that area many yrs back, every place was at had big elk mounted on there walls in store and places to eat, so I bet there was a lot of elk near by

best advice I can tell you is start walking hills now with a pack on you back with weight in it
do that now till you go, and you will be very happy you did, even if you don't kill
thin air just walking can get to you a lot more than you think
same goes for having a good pack, once a elk is down, a good pack can make a pack out more work or less
I have used my alaskan 2 cabela's pack a few times, worked well for me, liked all the adjustments I could make to get it to fit nice and snug, and the rifle holder was a must at times in AK on my hunts
but guessing your doing a bow hunt?
guess the bow holder is a great idea on a pack too, or a good bow sling!
and good glass, highly recommend good glass for any out west hunt, saves you a lot on eye strain/migranes!