If the trail(s?) in question are poorly or confusingly marked and “go all over the place” with many changes in direction, etc., like some of the trails in the National Forest / “wilderness areas” near my place, seemingly correctly picking a direction to walk out can lead to even more trouble. Granted this involves some quite impassable areas, small gorges, and such, that are difficult to pick out in a satellite view. And in many of the areas near here, there is no cell signal anyway. I’m seriously thinking about getting a stand alone GPS device. (My wife, daughter and I have never been seriously lost, but, we have had a couple instances of trails becoming so confusing or impassable that we had to “go back the way we came” and got back to camp a couple hours later than planned.)
It is always a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.
Interesting tip I’ve read - leave a dirty sock in your car with a map of your route. It will help the dogs find you!