Glad to hear you were able to make it out scouting.  I was going to make a scouting trip yesterday, but that got postponed.  

1.  Just making a 10.5 mi round trip at that altitude is an accomplishment, so you must not be in horrible shape.  

2.  I have two pair of Cabelas hiking boots, and they have worked well for me.  I don't remember the names specifically, but I know there are options.  

3.  If there is the option of hiking in deeper, that would probably be beneficial.  However, last year I hunted Unit 29, which gets lots of non-hunting recreational traffic, and I was amazed at the amount of wildlife I saw within short distances of highly-used trails.  Since 99% of all the recreational traffic stayed on the trails, the wildlife knew where to expect people.  Just because there are lots of people in an area does not mean that wildlife have vacated the area, especially if it is normal for lots of people to be in the area.  Now, if you want to hike in deeper simply to get away from the crowds, then that is entirely up to you.  

4.  Glad you saw something.  

Thanks for sharing your scouting trip.  Post up some pictures if you have any.  Hope I can get out there myself for a couple trips before season starts.  Good luck!

It's hard to get up there by daylight this time of the year, because it gets light so early. It will be easier in hunting seasons.

Personally, I don't hunt areas that have hikers. When I scout and hunt. I don't want to see anybody. Probably why you didn't see any bucks.

Reminton742, you keep mensioning all those high traffic areas with hikers.  That should tell you something.  You need to get to an area where there are no trailheads, a wilderness area with fewer roads nearby.  If you do use the network of trails then you need to only use those trails to get you to a certain point, then venture off trail.  Treat you scouting like a hunting trip.  You're likely to find game where few venture near.  Gotta agree with Still Hunters post above.

It's great to at least get out there, somrthing I've been unable to do ye this year.

And I'm with WishIWasHunting here. I know some places on top of Independence pass where 170+ bucks are taken that watch 50 or more people a day walk past on the trail. You have to get off the trail of course but the game is right there knowing the day hikers don't vary off the path.

You get some unhappy looks packing the head out when they are headed up.

You won't have to wait for that. You'll get the looks when they see you in blaze orange.

That's why I hunt late season if I can and hunt areas that have few trail heads.  I do run into snowshoers and x-country skiers on an occasion, but generally just see other hunters in the field.

Sad thing is that it's all the hikers and mountain bikers seem to think they pay for all that pristine wilderness.  In fact it's hunters and anglers who fund most of it.  I'm glad the CDOW is voicing that in their recent tv commercials.

Do hikers pay anything?