Rescuers guided five hikers back to a trailhead after the group lost its way overnight on Mailbox Peak near North Bend.

The five, from Oak Harbor, were hiking the steep trail and got lost on the way back.

"It was 3 o'clock in the morning. We just kept going down, trying to find our way," said Chuck Allen.

A sixth hiker with a 10-month-old baby got separated from the group and made his way to the parking lot.

"There's no flat area where you can just walk straight," said Nilo Bernardo. "It's all up … you have to climb."

Bernardo said he kept in touch with his friends using cell phones, and honked his car horn, hoping they could follow the sound.

He said he knew they weren't far because one of them started his car with a remote control.

Bernardo eventually called 911 for help.

It took search and rescue volunteers two and a half hours to reach the stranded hikers and lead them back to safety Monday morning.

"I think the real story is the five guys who came out to rescue us. They inspired, they're true American heroes right there," said Ace Butler, one of the rescued hikers.

The hikers waited so long to call for help because they were afraid they'd be charged for the services, said KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Alexandra Limon. 

There is no charge for search and rescue services, the King County Sheriff's Office said.