Barker Peak; the original goal, Part VI

 Within ten minutes of leaving Barker Pass we got our first clear glimpse of our original goal,  the top of Barker Peak.  However, the Rim Trail was such pleasant going, and the peak looked like a giant pile of talus, that we decided to stay on the trail and see if it might lead to some sort of "back way" up Barker that wouldn't be so strenuous.  The field of Mule's Ears in the foreground was punctuated with Leichtlin's Mariposa Lilies (below), and this one hosted a hungry Longhorn Beetle that was working hard to get a meal.  [Story continues tomorrow.]