Sorry: I digressed.
One thing a meat processor will NOT want is stones stuck to the meat. Pine needles are an issue too; although you can burn them and hair off: with a torch.
What I do is carry a couple fold up 'emergency blankets' Those foil things that once you unfold- you cannot fit into air plane hanger.
If you lay the blankets on the ground you can lay the quarters on them after you skin the elk; and keep them clean.
You can then get your game bag ready and put the meat into the bags and not lose any to stones and such ( pebbles - tiny stones - can break the blades on a meat grinder).
I hang the meat up to cool; but if I don't have game bags on me; I will hang it up and let the wind hit it. When the meat surface dries; the fly eggs can't into the soft meat they need to be in.
You can scrape the eggs off with a knife blade - until the meat surface hardens up.
I see lots of people start out with a back pack with everything in it for every emergency.
Then after a few days of hiking in 90 degree heat; they are down to water and an energy bar at best.
(like me often times)
The emergency blankets are light and fit into a pocket real easy. They are fantastic to have with you; not only for if you get an elk; but if you need to stay out a night or do get into an emergency situation.
My son shot an elk that we got out whole; he got real close to 400 pounds of ~meat~ out of it. Now divide that by 2 guys; and its 200 pounds a person - plus the bones.
I am good for about one quarter of an elk; about 70 pounds on average. You are better off taking two trips each than: to try and carry all the meat out in one trip.
If your alone; skin the elk; and hang it up if you can - you will need parachute cord or you can make a small branch coming off a tree into a spike; and hang the meat up on that.
If you have moving water nearby- you can lay some thick branches just over the water; and lay the meat on the top of that- not piled up- laid out so it can cool top and bottom.
Then take some spruce boughs and lay them over the meat. That is best done when it does not touch the meat; but does keep the sun off it.
You can also use the blankets to cover them top and bottom over the water.
While your carrying out a load of meat; the remaining meat can cool. But be prepared to spend the night.
Walking out in the dark with a heavy load on your back is asking for trouble- use your judgment - how far is camp or the truck; and can you get there in the dark?
If your alone; and you realize your going to make 4 or 5 or 6 trips- you might want to bring some plastic bags and some Mortons salt meat cure. You can mix it up in the plastic bag with water and the meat; and it will preserve it for while; a short while; but 'a while'.
( I ran into a camp where the hunters had boned deer meat in plastic bags -in holes dug in the ground; and they were curing the meat while hunting for elk).
Really - don't think you can get an elk out with one or two people in one trip. I have seen it done- but your talking really the top of your game to do it. Here in Idaho you will be in deep do-do if you leave any meat in the woods: its called 'waste of game'.
I like to carry a bone type saw with me; and a small knife for skinning; and a file to sharpen the knife as your skinning and cutting.
In any weather you have to skin the elk quickly.
You can carry one quarter over your shoulder; and still get over downed timber and other obstacles; but the heavier the load; the better the trail must be.
As mentioned pepper can keep the flies off too- and burger joints give them away in more likely to carry containers
A young bull or cow is one thing to deal with; but that big bull or cow 'of your life' - that is another thing.
A couple coolers in your vehicle or camp is a great help; but unless you have ice; you are often better off letting the meat hang in the shade. Until final transport.
When you get an elk down and you walk up to it; you will realize the difference between the average whitetail and an elk. Elk are huge.
I have pack animals; that I have used dozens of times to help get other peoples elk out; but it seems when I get an elk; it is pretty close to a road. I have twice backed my truck right up to elk my son has shot.
But- then there were elk way back in- and getting them out can be the challenge of your life. Be prepared !