PEOPLE. On this late September Thursday, there were two vehicles in the TH parking area when I arrived (at least one looked to have been there overnight), none when I departed. All day, I saw nobody on the trail.
STATS. GAIA reports a net elevation gain of 3150' to the peaj at 6341' (there is also a bit of up and down). And, distance 6.1 miles. As this accords with the May 31 2025 trip report of NWphotographer, I think the WTA listing of the hike as 8 miles RT should be 6 miles. (Maybe doing a loop, up the Baldy side and down the Tyler side, you get 8 miles.)
THE HIKE.
Refreshing brisk temps. Good air to breathe! despite the Bear Gulch fire to the south. Propitious winds. The are two unmarked trails leaving the right back corner of the parking area. The steep one on the right is your Tyler Peak trail. (The other, for Baldy, ends up hitting your ridgeside trail from the other side of the valley.) The Tyler Peak trail is pretty steep, with slippery parts, no problem for me with poles. The Mueller Creek fork you cross around 4240' is in great shape for water supply. Around 4800', you break out of the forest, soon to enjoy the big steep valley you're hiking up along. Opening views up to the ridge. I enjoyed the way the trail evolves after you intersect the ridgeside trail and turn right. The trail leads you to a last short stretch which is a modest scramble. It could be avoided by working around the peak to the right.
In this dry, no-snow setting there are no route finding issues. In the forest segment, the trail often splits to two options; it's usually easy to see the less direct (more switchbacky), more trail-sustainable option. Anyway, all roads lead to Rome.
VIEWS. Not the best day! Plenty of mist and haze. As I rolled into the peak, so did the fog bank. The great views east, north and northwest were mostly left to imagination. Regional views, very nice.
THE ROAD. There are long stretches of good dirt road, and there are plenty of nontrivial potholes. Overall, I expect any vehicle could get through, with appropriate caution and speed.
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