True they say that the gate is to be locked, but in the last 5 years I have never seen that gate locked. The reason is they are required to allow access to public lands that are surrounded by private logging land. Also, when comming over from Tillamook, you get to Murphys Camp, then the gates are locked. Always unlocked on the tillamook side but once you crest the top at Murphys Camp, gates are locked and usually dont open till just before rifle deer season (fire dangers).