Whoa - you are tough! Just thinking of bringing an Elk out 8 miles makes my knees hurt. It takes me 3 trips to bring out a 500lb Elk solo, 4 trips for a big one. That's quarters, straps, trims, & antlers. I'd still be looking at two trips if I boned it out. It would take me two days minimum, with it boned out, to get an Elk out from 8 miles in.

If pack animals are using the trail, then it is good enough for a game cart. A game cart is one trip and no grunting under 100+lb packs. It is still work, but it is much nicer.