Think about it like this: you'll be carrying that weapon for many hours over many days, to take a shot that may take 5-30 seconds if you are skilled and have a little luck. You'll also be carrying a spotting scope or binoculars, water, food, wearing heavy boots, a handgun possibly, and who knows what else you'll choose to carry 6000+ feet higher than you currently live. It adds up pretty quickly. Possible, yes, enjoyable no.
They make rifles (Kimber Mt Ascent 4 lb 13 oz, Weatherby Backcountry 4 lb, 9 0z, Barrett Fieldcraft 5.2 lbs) that weigh less than half of what you are looking at in calibers that will take elk. Yes, you will pay a premium for them, but think about how much more comfortable they will be to carry all that time in order to make that one shot. Recoil may be a bit of a bear, but it's one, or at most two shots after zeroing it. Put a limbsaver on it and go for it.
As a person who lives in Colorado and frequents the mountains (for other outdoor activities, but doesn't usually hunt) I say pass on that rifle for a newer lightweight rifle, but that's me.
They make rifles (Kimber Mt Ascent 4 lb 13 oz, Weatherby Backcountry 4 lb, 9 0z, Barrett Fieldcraft 5.2 lbs) that weigh less than half of what you are looking at in calibers that will take elk. Yes, you will pay a premium for them, but think about how much more comfortable they will be to carry all that time in order to make that one shot. Recoil may be a bit of a bear, but it's one, or at most two shots after zeroing it. Put a limbsaver on it and go for it.
As a person who lives in Colorado and frequents the mountains (for other outdoor activities, but doesn't usually hunt) I say pass on that rifle for a newer lightweight rifle, but that's me.