I'm not trying to raise a stink, just creating a little discussion.
1) It's very easy to misinterpret pictures of people going around gates as illegal activity. It's been said elsewhere that our enemies are on here watching what we do. I'd hate to see someone's fully legit pics end up on some environmental whacko website as a example of illegaly 4x4 activity, even it it's not.
2) It's interesting to get various comments about why the gates are in place. I have no involvement or history with Walker Valley, so this is observation from afar.... so I have a couple of questions for those that DO know the area better. First, is there a sign of any sort explaining that this is a gatekeeper of any sorts, any markings or such to indicate that. If not, how do you know that this is a gatekeeper obstacle (It looks just like a gate that people have driven around)? What is there on these "gatekeepers" to keep the trails from getting wider and easier? Is there someone or some group that maintains the gatekeepers.
I ask partially because as we consider gatekeepers for Elbe I'd like to learn about how they're done elsewhere. I can see a gate being made available to trail maintenance access, removal of disabled vehicles or emergency vehicles etc and I can see that as a VERY good idea. On the surface this appears to be a gate that people have just gone around, so, how are people instructed about the gate and the gatekeeper?