This has been in the game since who only knows and I don't know if it's ever been officially addressed since it really isn't a major issue, but there is a gate that never opens on the Wolver den levels.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p262/DirtTB/Spiral%20Knights/spiral_2...
It really doesn't matter, since it seems like you are intended to walk around anyway, but if such is the case, why even have it there at all. I'm not saying it needs to be removed or opened, but it's something to look at.
It's there so you can see what you missed by not taking the lower path before.