I have hunted Signal Butte and Phantom creek pretty hard for the last couple years because I kept hearing great things about it. There is a lot of sign there, rubs on lots of trees and even some areas that stank of elk, but I am yet to see any up there except one running across the road like a demon was chasing her. You will get frustrated trying to avoid roads and other target shooters, but such is the life of hunting on public land so close to a major city. There are areas though, just look at a map, find the largest areas with no roads and start walking into it. Just out of curiosity has anyone tried the back side of pikes peak? That area should be good for an over the counter tag right?