Forest Lake is one of our favorite places to go.  Not only because its about the only place that is close to home, but it's a lot of fun. Located up American Fork canyon past Timpanagos Cave It's about a 35 mile drive from home to the beginning of the dirt road leading to the forest lake trail.  The trail is probably a 2 1/2 or a 3 with a few spots that are a little tougher.  At the beginning you cross a stream or river if it storms.  You wind through the forest with pines and quakies all around you.  The surroundings are spectacular.  There are a few rutted and uneven portions.  One side road to a nearby meadow is a steep uphill climb, which can be quite hard if wet.  The last time we went in mid-September it had snowed a few inches the night before, making it a little muddy and more of a challenge then usual. The forest service and possibly volunteers have put up pole fences to keep ignorant folk on the trail.  I think this is a good thing, if we would all police ourselves we might be able to save more trails for the future.  Anyway, when you get to the top there is a beautiful lake set in a large clearing.  We usually have lunch there then go back down the same way.