I have briefly lost my way. When it happens, I turn off all flashlights and let my eyes adjust. Then I familiarize myself with the skyline and known land features. Most times though, I really don't have trouble because I have to cut a walking trail through the rose thorns to get to my stands, If you can't walk easily, your off the trail. I hunt in some thick stuff, but the deer love it in there and they walk through it like it isn't even there. They like to eat the leaves off the rose too, so that's a bonus.
The deer appreciate the trails and usually adopt them as their own before too long. They are lazy in a way and will take the route of least resistance, as long as they are not pressured into hiding out.

I don't like bright eyes but a strip of reflective tape on your stand could help, as long as you know the general direction of the stand. I see bright eyes trails leading from the roadway sometimes when I drive a rural road at night. Some guys start marking the trail right off the shoulder of the road! Easy pickins for a thief.