Gate at White Salmon - Locked everyday?

I am thinking about a trip up the White Salmon during this high pressure. According the Mt. Baker website they close and lock the gate down there every night at 6, re-opening at 6 every morning. I have been up there late at night and have seen it open.
Does anyone know how often the gate is locked? Also, are there other viable parking options outside the gate that won't mess with the DOT?

To be safe, people often park just outside the gate in the offseason - but now, you'd have to park down the hill to do that. You could talk to the maintenance shop guys or camper it (if possible in your rig) after your tour if you get out too late. But this time of year, if you're doing just the White Salmon and not tacking on bigger stuff up high, you can easily get in there at sunrise and get out of the parking lot long before 6.