I would stick with the boat option. Very steep country but with year being so hot and dry you won't have to walk very high up that steep crap to find elk. They will be low looking for water! My two cent.
What an awesome area for elk. Great unit, lots of elk and should be fairly easy DIY! You shouldn't have any trouble finding elk. Good luck and post your hunt.
I don't know to much about the unit but from what i do know its very big country so get into shape. The white cloud mountains get there name for a reason. Lots of elk to chase if you get of the beat'n path. Good luck.
Seeing how some of us have to schedule our vacation in November the previous year, I sure like it where it is. That way I have all year to try and con some vacation out of a co worker if need be. Lol. What I don't like is idaho drawing tags right up to August 15 the day antelope start with...