Abstract: A magnetic gate latch opens and secures closed a portal or gate employing improvements that favors continued smooth operation and that minimizes freeze-up during winter. The improvements enable confined movement of the locking pin within a hollow cavity at the bottom of a lifting rod. The locking pin includes a flange extending outward from around the locking pin to divide the locking pin into an upper portion that slides within the hollow cavity and a lower portion that confines a spring. An elliptical aperture in the upper portion surrounds a rivet that limits locking and unlocking movement of the locking pin. The spring pushes up on the flange to bias the locking pin in an upward, unlocked position and hold it there after the gate is opened.