I don't know of you saw the same signs I saw on my first visit there about 3 or 4 months ago, but I think the area is closed due to rain damage on the trail. We wen't up anyway as did many others. The trail is screwed, but still passable. I think the may be laying some new pipe along the trail as well. Just park along the fence, that's what we did. I was just there within the last week and and a handfull of people were up there, so I wouldn't worry to much about it being closed.