The gate may be closed but BLM requires that it be unlocked. A few years ago a tenant farming that area was locking the gate but BLM told them to keep it unlocked. Maybe they have started locking it again and BLM needs to be notified. The land adjacent to the gate was fallow for a while but they might be planning on growing hemp on part of it.
Here's are some maps showing where the gate is:
https://kathywing.smugmug.com/Californi ... /i-h7SGqS6Almost all the section lines in the Coachella Valley are public right of ways but the farmers sometimes put gates up to prevent theft and dumping.