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Yes gate closed just where you said.
You can poach the section of trail that drops down Waterman into Devils Canyon Trail and come out at 3 Points. My riding partner Stjunkie (Scott) has done it numerous times, I have not. On the weekends there are two Forest Service employees patrolling the whole Angeles Forest and they are busy changing the toilet paper in the restrooms. So there is a volunteer patrol, Robin and Randy...huge poachers in their own rights. If you stay away from PCT Trailheads you won't get in trouble. The trouble comes from the Angelus Crest Trail runners, thewy carry cameras and love to take pictures of Mtbers and send them to the Forest Service. Then the FS has to do something to keep them happy. We do a far amount of poaching out there but keep the group 2-3 people,. If you are solo I say go for it. Scott and my friend Nick are planning on parking at Buckhorn, taking the pavement to Southfork and climbing back up Burkhart Trail, not sure if I am going to join them. I have rode Buckhorn Station to Burkhart Saddle and back...very hard ride. To get to Buckhorn from the East legally Burkhart Trail is going to be your route.
Dean