Dan Wagner

Hike to the Circle of Friends Pictograph Panel

The Circle of Friends pictograph panel, also known as the Circle of Life panel, is a fascinating rock art site near Escalante, Utah. It features a depiction of adults and children holding hands in a circle, as well as numerous other pictographs and petroglyphs. Easily accessible within minutes, this panel is a perfect addition to a visit to the nearby 100 Hands pictograph panel, located just 20 minutes away.

Trailhead elevation 5,820'

Water none

Don't miss the petroglyphs and pictographs to the right of the main panel

Hike to the Circle of Friends Pictograph Panel

Hikers can use the coordinates 37.7646600, -111.7110886 to find the parking area, located about four miles west of Escalante along Main Canyon Road. The small pull-off can accommodate up to four vehicles.

While there are no trail markers, the path is easily visible from the parking area and heads north.

About a hundred yards in, the trail curves to the left and follows a drainage for another 150 yards.

At 0.13 miles, the trail reaches the boulder containing the Circle of Friends panel.

The panel features over a dozen distinct pictographs, including its namesake, as well as two rainbows, along with various anthropomorphic figures and several abstract images.

The Circle of Friends depiction showcases sixteen anthropomorphic figures, including at least one that appears to be a child, all holding hands in a circle. While the exact meaning of the pictograph remains unclear, it may have been created to represent a ceremony or gathering.

Directly to the right of the circle is what looks like a warrior.

Directly to the left of the circle is what appears to be a flute player.

To the right of the warrior depiction, there are two rainbows and possibly two snakes.

Above the rainbows are what seem to be another anthropomorphic figure and a handprint, similar to those seen along the Salt Creek Canyon Trail in Canyonlands.

On the right side of the boulder, there is another anthropomorphic figure that, like many of the pictographs on the panel, has been heavily marked by graffiti.

Along with the pictographs, the panel includes several petroglyphs, likely made by a culture that followed the one responsible for the pictographs. In the bottom right corner of the panel, a depiction of a sheep can be seen.

Above the sheep are concentric circles, which often represent the sun, along with a snake located just below them.

For perspective, I’ve included a photo of my dad and I during our recent visit to the panel. As you can see, the panel is relatively small, but it packs a big punch with its uniqueness.