RE: How do you scout for elk?
No matter how you do it, you need to familiarize yourself with the terrain/area. The topo map is a great start (as mentioned), but I'm a big fan to just the hit ground and enjoy yourself. Who really knows where they will be when the hunt actually starts, but if it's Elk country, they will be there or in next canyon or the next, etc.
Get used to the spots with water, the dark timber, the meadows, the aspen patches that mix to pinenear meadows, the possible escape routes, everything you can sink into your brain. Take a notebook or GPS (even better) and mark down everything. If you see some Elk, watch them for a long time. Watch them work across or through a canyon feeding, watch were they bed or water. Just take in as much as you can. This is also a good safety thing if you are new to the area.
Overall, take in all you can and get used to the land. Nothing beats knowing your areas you hunt, upside down and inside out.