Just curious as to where everyone would start their scouting in this area. Assume a road is at the bottom of the picture (just off the photo) and there are only hiking trails throughout (no ATV access).

I would walk right up the miidle and hang a left into the second drainage... There is a bowl towards the bottom that can be accessed from several different points. That is where I would start!!!

I would hike to the ridge on the left side. From there you could glass a lot of territory. There looks to be a high basin or bowl which looks promising; you could glass the back side of two ridges. It would be a hike for sure but thats where I would start.

It is a long hike into the second drainage at the base of that "bowl" about 5 miles form the closest road. I was thinking of setting up base camp next to the stream on the bottom. Then in the morning, you could walk up the ridge (finger) to the right to glass the whole bowl.

This pic is a little deceiving with regards to the actual size of the area that it covers. How tall are these mountains, where is water, what is the climate like here, what type of terrain is this (Colorado type mts. or Arizona type mts.). Lots of questions regarding where to actually hunt.

Assuming that this is oriented to the North and is in the larger mountains of Colorado??????? I would hunt the long ridge on the right side of the pic if it is warm. The elk will cross over that ridge in order to get on the NW facing slope to get out of the suns rays. Of course I can't see what is on the other side.

I would also want to hunt the large drainage that leads to the upper left corner of the pic. It appears there are plenty of cool areas for the elk to bed down and there should be good water coming down from the peaks. That one drainage accesses numerous smaller drainages that lead down into it and out to the main drainage.

That would be hard to say with the details that are missing. Either way, I would want to be in close proximity to black timber. The elk will use it year round. The timber also has to be close to areas that get plenty of sunlight and can grow the grasses and forbs that elk need. Also, elk will go into aspen quite often. I think I would look on the saddles or at the tops of draws where the elk will come out of the black timber and then eat, then can quickly disappear into the timber again.

You want to have fun or just get your elk?
If you want an elk, do like a profesional northen outfitter.
Get in your supercub and fly up and down for days if need be and locate all the game. Do your best to keep all resident hunters out of the area. (usually by threatening all local air-charters companies to not fly resident huntersor risk loosing outfitter business) Then land as close as possable or you could radio down to your guides where all the game is.
This is the problem when you mix money with wildlife.
Keep it fair chase

Where in the world did that come from and what in the heck are you talking about?

+1

Judging from the limited visual, I would start in the center and continue north. The center looks as though the trees are older/bigger. The trees work as great cover for the elusive big bull. Best case scenario therecould be some water. Good Luck!!