I'm certainly not the best elk hunter in the world but here are a few tips I have learned over the years.

first it makes no sense at all to be wasting time hunting elk where they are few and where theres little chance of seeing one!
do your homework, talk to the game and fish biologist and game wardens. don,t ignore the low elevations, if theres good water and cover elk can and do go into rolling hills and even creek bottoms at times.
elk can cover a vast area especially prior too and during the rut, you need to locate the herds, and hunt the areas the herd is currently in that day to be successful on a regular basis
you need to move camp and follow the herds.
locate the water and food sources, especially in dry areas as this tends to hold the herds to some extent at least during part of the day locate natural travel restrictors, like rivers,canyons,highways, high fence lines, saddles on ridges, steep cliffs etc.... while they may not stop elk they tend to route the herds watch the wind and stay out of prime bedding areas or you'll be likely to push the herd out of your immediate area don"t push the cows a bull may circle, spook a cow badly and she may travel to the next drainage. Start practicing your elk calling now. glass constantly, travel light, be prepared to move as needed. boots that fit, and have good ankle support are extremely important. learn to use topo maps they can give you a good deal of info if you understand elk.
generally north and east facing slopes and thick timber will be where elk hang out rather than the more open and less timbered south and west facing slopes no matter what physical shape you think your in it's often not enough. constant walking at 7000-11000 ft of altitude are common to elk hunting. I carry a good military poncho with a liner which is typically what I use to sleep in. Don't get caught up in the trophy madness a lot of hunters get caught up in and end up not taking an animal enjoy your hunt and if you like what you see take it.

have fun and good luck