Forest Lake Trail #171
The trail to Forest Lake is a pleasant moderate climb through aspen, spruce and fir to the lake. After fording the American Fork River and going a short distance, the road forks; take the left fork to the lake. Forest Lake is surrounded by aspen and meadows. The lake itself is shallow with no outlet serving as a holding basin for snowmelt. Pleasant mountain views can be seen from the lake. Trees in the area include aspen, subalpine fir, spruce and chokecherry. Flowers include western coneflower, mullen, green gentian, showy daisy, yarrow and others. This short trail leaves the Ridge Trail #157 to descend to a sub-alpine lake surrounded by aspens and firs. This trail is also an access point to the Ridge Trail #157 from the technical 4-wheel drive Schaffer Fork Road.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
General Information
Mid-Elevation Forested Environment
Connecting Trails: Ridge Trail #157
Trail Grade: Trail grades range from 20 to 25 percent.
Trail Considerations: Trail users should be aware of the high level of use that this trail receives, and should expect to see each type of user group on any given day.
For more information about trail considerations, please go to http://www.treadlightly.org/.
Getting There
Directions
Access #1: From I-15, take Alpine Exit 284. You will be traveling east on Highway 92 for approximately 7 miles to the mouth of American Fork Canyon. This is a recreation fee area. Continue on the Alpine Scenic Loop to the North Fork junction and turn left up the North Fork (Hwy 144). The North Fork will lead you to Tibble Fork Reservoir. Continue traveling northeast on a dirt road for approximately 4.6 miles past Tibble Fork Reservoir. Forest Lake is reached via Shaffer Fork which begins just before reaching Dutchman Flat.
Access #2: From the south you can access American Fork Canyon from I-15 (Exit 278) traveling east on Highway 89 until you make a left turn onto Highway 74, continue traveling until you reach SR 92 the Alpine Loop.
Access #3: Dutchman Flat can also be reached by way of Wasatch Mountain State Park Visitor Center.
GPS Coordinates:
Beginning of trail (junction with the Ridge trail #157): N 40° 30’21.33 W 111° 34' 51.59"
End of Trail): N 40° 30’43.45 W 111° 35' 13.24"
GPS COORDINATES TAKEN FROM REFERENCE MATERIAL AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED ACCURATE
