Yup, A master key will open all their locks on any particular
National Forest.
I not particularly against these gates being locked at certain times.
Last year during that extreme fire season they had volunteers going around checking back roads. One happens to be a person I work with in the woods. He personally put out over 20 unattended fires in that period.
These people go out and camp and start a campfire and then think its OUT, then it sits and smolders for a day or so. Some, he put out were actually burning. I believe they reported on the news that there were in excess of 300 unattended campfires statewide that were put out.
Then comes winter. Snow is deep on the roads and they have to run those roads with their pickups. They get stuck and sometimes 30 to 40 miles out in the middle of no place.
Other than that, if these ignorant people would do as they are supposed to do, there would be no need for ANY gates.
But, sometimes, its pure ignorance by the USFS when they lock these gates. No reason whatsoever at certain times.