Of the two, I've got 55 ranked only slightly higher, and I like the amount of public land in 55 that you can hunt if the weather is mild or wild.  Success rates are about the same(14% average in 78 versus 13.2% in 55), pressure is about the same (very reasonable), more elk per hunter in 78 though, and the quality of bulls are little worse.  Tough call.  55 has more public land, but 78 isn't lacking in any way. 

Not sure which I'd choose, but I think I'd sacrifice the little bit of trophy potential in favor of double the elk per hunter (3 versus 6) and hunt unit 78.

Not sure who's pimping it at the DOW or whereever, and I can't for life of me remember where Rainbow Lakes is, nor find it on a map right now.  I've been asked that one before and have been stumped.  I can think of a Raibow Lakes in 54 and in 29 (I think).

As for the West Fork country, a lot of that is not really appropriate for a 3rd season hunt, but some of it can be.  It's big, steep stuff and a lot of dark timber that I wouldn't hunt it without snow.

What areas might you suggest in that unit?

FYI i have hunted 55 and 78 for about 8 years and the last couple years i have had no success in 55 we have hunted 55 the past 2 years for the first 3 days seeing no sign of elk so we packed up and went to 78 didnt have success but did see alot more elk. There is alot of good areas in 78 to hunt around pagosa springs alot of private land but if you can figure out how to get to the small walking trails into the public land completely surrounded by the private you will have success. How many in your group and if interested in hunting with a bigger group we will be in pagosa springs on the 3-4 of nov. Were a group of 6 country boys just looking to take some meat home. We normally rough it we rent a house in town and have a area close to town that we hunt we corral our horses on public land Leave out early in the morning meet up sometime after dark and head to the house

good luck on your season,