I;ve hiked through north central WA state. Real thick forest is an understatement and a first time amateur finding an opening trail there is indeed a miracle.
I'd reckon she is no amateur - If she lives in Marion, MT, chances are she's a mountain gal, and can make her way in the woods alright... Not to diminish her success, but if she lives up there, chances are pretty good that she's been in the woods her whole life. Marion is just west of me here in Kalispell, and is definitely in the sticks.