Two adults and three kids (11, 15, 16) had a beautiful blue sky day doing the Baldy/Tyler loop going clockwise. We started around 9:30 from the lot (2 or three other cars) and the whole loop took about 6 hours. We probably saw a total of 10 folks on the trails the whole time.
The trail was passable the entire way with no special gear (but I’d recommend bringing gaiters to keep your socks dry and poles for stability), but there is substantial snow for stretches that slowed us down a bit.
The first stretch of snow was just before we emerged from the trees going up toward Baldy. Deeper drifts but easy to follow boot path and occasional post holing. Once up in the meadow we lost the trail for a bit and just traversed our way up trying to minimize snow exposure. It was the same basic dynamic for the last push to Baldy, and there are clear boot marks to follow. Just make sure to stay away from the edge in some places as the snow’s getting soft with some drop-offs.
The ridge from Baldy to Tyler was the slowest going. Nothing treacherous, just working your way through the snow in what’s a relatively easy to follow path.
Once the trail up from Tyler is clearly visible the snow starts to abate, and the last stretch to Tyler only has a small stretch of snow.
From Tyler peak down to the Tyler TH is basically clear the entire way.
This hike is a burner with steep ascents/descents, but the views are worth it and then some.
The drive to the TH is fine. There are tons of potholes. Biggest issue are a couple boulders on the road about halfway there. They are totally passable (we were in a mid-size SUV), but I guess it would feel a bit hairier if the road was super wet.
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