Hunted in 16A on the border with 17 last September. Idaho is steep, deep, thick but it isn't high. I found it easier than where I hunt in central Colorado because you didn't have to deal with much elevation. But........
The trade-offs are several:
1. It is thick. You likely won't be shooting very far.
2. It is steep but use your head when packing gear and it is very doable.
3. The elk density is low. I'm not sure I would go in October, post rut and all. I was into elk amost every day bugling, saw exactly 1 bull in 6 days of hunting. The bonus is the opportunity to run into a really big bull. A big 6x6 (300-310 or so) was killed in the next camp over from us. The rack was way cool due to the mass it carried well out into the main frame.
I'd also plan on using horses to get in and out but I suppose a non-horse hunt is possible given good connections and luck.
In the end, I'd go again. Good luck.
-- BW
