Most people don't make it far from where they get lost. I've seen grown men hunting who had trouble in areas finding their way back to their car and this was in far more accessible areas. The tendency when lost for some reason is to wander aimlessly in a limited general area within a few miles like he did. Maybe due to the uncertainty the person walks one direction a while then another?
I understand that and yes the boy was 12 and I will grant him inexperience. But where he was, I have been. I fish that area several times a year. The creek is very open tho there are some parts you describe further up.
And yes you can get turned around especially in those rhodadendren "hells" as they are called [as you know I am sure but others may not] or laurel slicks.
Like I said, that particular area is at the head of the cove and very narrow. Its just hard to be very lost, in my opinion. There are 3 trails: the trail to the Caudill cabin, the trail to Bluff mountain and the fire road [there is a 4th and 5th but they are not close...both are close to the parking lot]. Its hard to be between the Caudill and Bluff Mtn trail because its a very steep drop off.
Maybe its completely innocent. I am real curious...I guess from knowing the area so well.