Big TK,
Welcome to the boards,
First elk hunt - hungary for knowledge, reading everything in sight -- I remember -- exciting times! I appreciate the obvious legwork you have done. Can' t help you with the Gunnison area except that I' ve 4 wheeled and camped thru there in the summer time -- definitely more rugged country than your back up choice up by Craig which by the way is the general area where I hunt.

Email me with a phone number if you like and we can talk.

Couple thoughts just too start things off:
1. Where are you going to sleep and how are you going to keep warm?
2. How are you going to navigate in the dark in a place you have never been?
3. " Scouting is not possible" and the season is so short" --- Trust me by the end of the season you will have had enough! Buuuut, if the season was 3 days longer would you find the extra three days? My point is the short season should leave you with extra days for scouting -- showing up to a strange area the day before opening day is a recipe for unfilled tags.

Thats enough for now,
EKM