I'm doing some preplanning on my next section, Dennis Cove Rd to Damascus. This past April we hiked up to Dennis Cove, and I remember hearing and seeing signs about Watauga Lake shelter being closed due to bear activity. AWOLS books states it to, as does the ATC website. So, planning this next hike, and assuming it's closed again in 2017, where near (ish) to there is a good, safe camping area? Preferably a mile or 2-3 past Watauga NOBO.