1. Problem: How many routes are there from the lake to the cabins if a hiker can take 4 trails to the lake and then 3 trails from the lake to the cabins? 2. Formula: The total number of routes is the product of the number of trails to the lake and the number of trails from the lake to the cabins. 3. Calculation: Total routes = $4 \times 3$ 4. Explanation: Since each trail to the lake can be paired with each trail from the lake to the cabins, multiply the two numbers. 5. Result: Total routes = $12$ Final answer: There are 12 routes from the lake to the cabins.