Baer Activity & water sources in the GSMNP

[Falcon]

I am hiking the section from Newfound Gap to Fontana Dam the end of this month. Has anyone hiked this section recently and if so how was the water sources and the bear activity at shelters?

[deeddawg]

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

Silers Bald and Spence Field shelters currently closed due to bear activity.
Bear warnings for Double Spring Gap and Mount Collins shelters.

The Backcountry office may have more info about water availability

[coosanav]

Was just there last week, started at Clingman's. Water at Derrick Knob, and Russell Field were fine. I heard mixed reviews about Mollies, and didn't stop anywhere else for water. The bears were very active, didn't see any while at the shelters, all the ones we saw were south of Mollies.

[mateozzz]

Max Baer is hiking the GSMNP?

[WMR]

On his way to visit Granny - there's a blue blaze down to Bug Tussle