... Though can you confirm that the swath of land that isn't in the closure that bisects the fire closure doesn't inlcude the Little Lakes Valley? It appears on the fire closure map the Little Lakes Valley lies in that small open zone, but when you zoom in you can't read the map (it is pretty low res when you zoom in). It would seem odd to me that they would keep that trail head open for 1/4 mile of hiking.
"They" didn't "keep that trail head open for 1/4 mile of hiking." The Forest Service closed entry at the legally defined boundary of the wilderness. Their response is clear and accurate. It's just their map in the forest order that sucks. Ian B has posted a better map. Use it instead.
Dale B Dalrymple