For starts, you don't have to go deep in the wilderness to find elk. I got this bull during the 2019 archery season, looking down on the main highway in the "North" side of the unit, LOL.
Send me a PM and I'll tell you some areas to avoid in unit 76.
I've slept out in a small tent off the back of an atv in late April to early May in the past during turkey season up on the Uncomphagre Plateau. Long as you have a warm bag you should be fine. Just remember some of the forest road gates to the higher country don't open until late May to June 1st.