I have read that walking through a basin or draw, finding the low point where a little stream threads its way down the slopes, and then walking up the little stream looking for elk tracks can be useful. When you find the tracks you follow them. You probably won't find an elk standing in the tracks, but you might discover their bedding area or their feeding area. This can lead to making a plan to intercept the elk going to bed, leaving their feeding area, or drinking.
I have read that when you don't know where the elk are, you want to move fast. You can't move slow. The problem is because there is a lot of space where elk are not (see above post), if you are hunting slowly through the area where the elk are not located . . . you may never cover enough ground to get into the area where the elk are located. Elk make a lot of noise when they are moving, so if you make noise it may not be that big of a deal.