Sounds like you're going to have fun... best of luck with your hunt!
If you can still-hunt whitetails in the ADK successfully you'll be a natural elk hunter. Just treat them like big whitetails.
Sounds like conditioning isn't an issue.
Boots, when you say you have "heavy duty hiking boots," are they comfortable? No blistering I hope? For me, I don't like to elk hunt in Sorels or the like. Lousy support. You'll feel it in the ankles after a day in the steep. I find a good, tall "Mountain Hunter" with the equivalent of 400 grams Thinsulate is a perfect "all-around" boot that will cover any condition in the fall Rockies. I'd be thinking that way.
Binoculars, that's personal. I like a small 8x32, but the 10x42 is essentially the "30-06 of Western binoculars." They're really never "wrong."
Rifle. I can guarantee you you'll get back from your first elk hunt thinking about a light rifle
Again, best wishes on your trip... Elk hunting is addictive!
