I've forgotten my compass on many occasions since. Usually the sun gets me out of trouble without incident, but there are a few natural indicators you can sort of depend on.
I learned NOT to trust moss being on the north side of a tree long ago. F'n stuff grows all the way round half the time here. I note however that the big white pines high on the ridge tops generally have their longest limbs pointing eastwards. (Don't trust trees lower down, as the winds can be different there)
You can use an analog watch as a compass, but that's useless, because now days very few people have one.
If you break off a stick and put it in a sunny location, the top of that stick will make a shadow that will transcribe a west to east line as the sun moves. (But who the hell wants to wait that long?)
Use the stars at night, if you can see them, find the north star near the big dipper, in the handle of the little dipper.
If the little dipper is not visible, I think it's six lengths of the big dipper's lip to Polaris.
I know SFA about stars, but those two I can find.
As I mentioned in the OP, a little local knowledge can get you out of trouble. Listen for the highway, or a train, some rock crushing plant etc. Know the direction or rivers, and streams. Check the direction of the ridges if you have any.
One time I was turned around doing a push in a featureless bog of tag alders , I was saved from embarrassment 'cause I picked up the stench of one guy's cigarettes a hundred yards from me. Then he coughed and I had him pin pointed.
If you are not sure where you are sit down, think, and definitely LOOK BEHIND YOU. Quite often what you will see there will set you straight.
