The one time I knew I would need a compass...I left it at the Base Lodge at Pinkham Notch. My buddy and I were climbing up Tuckerman Ravine to ski the Headwall and we knew we would be hit with cloud layers. We had hoped to hike all the way to the peak of Mt Washington NH but if it socks in on the the way up or down...you better have a heading to work off of. Sure enough...it socked in when we cleared the Headwall so we changed tactics and followed the rim of Tucks over to the Left Gully and dropped back down to the bowl. Best thing is have a plan...AND a checklist...Dumbass me forgot the checklist. Last time that ever happened. Hikers have gotten lost taking a poop at night. Pick a mag line leading to an area you will have a reasonable chance of privacy and simply reverse the line to get back to the trail. Easy peasy. You can go anywhere in a straight line and back...day or night...rain or snow...and you don't have to worry about declination.

In 4th grade we were taught geography in school before they called it history or social studies... unfortunately we faced South in my classroom. We were taught basic map reading in class and the top of a map was North, the right was East and the left was West... I have struggled with directions ever since we faced South so a world map was 180 degrees off? I do have mild dyslexia and this is just one example how it affected me... I remember looking out of the classroom window and trying to figure out the compas direction?

One does not get lost. You knew where you were, right there. You were just temporarily geographically embarrassed as you reorientated your location relative to the rest of the world.

When I read Des Moines I was trying to figure out why you were in Iowa. And then enlightenment percolated up in my tired brain, there is a Des Moines in Washington state. I've been to both of them.

I am directionally challenged, and left right deficient.. Don't ever tell me north or south, and don't tell me Right or Left (pointing is better). My mother and grandmothers were all L/R confused, it likely has a genetic genetic component. However, one of my kids ALWAYS knows where she is and what direction she is facing. I'm not sure she is truly mine, except she is like my doppelganger. This kid takes her kid on walks through the streets of Utrecht, Netherlands, and always manages to get them home without Google maps. I don't go anywhere without Google Maps, even around town. Google maps tells me and shows me. I am in trouble if I'm ever out and about without Google Maps.

I'm directional challenged also so I know what you went through. Never really hiked very far into the wilderness. Just not my thing but all the photos you have posted including these are FABulous!

Love the story and the flowers. Did you at least get a dip in the lake?

Been there, done that! (More than once if I'm honest). It is so easy to set off at 180 to your intended direction!
When I was young, I remember being told a mnemonic for magnetic variation (used to be printed on OS maps with a date and yearly change) "mag to grid, get rid: grid to mag, add"

Someone once asked Daniel Boone if he'd ever gotten lost. To which Boone answered " I was bewildered once-- for about a week. But I ain't never been lost".
It sounds like a case of temporary bewilderment.

Glad you found your way! Nice photos.