Final 5 of 18 miles on western MA Rt 2 hardtop, downhill anyway. I usually "marvel" at that post-hairpin stretch of Rt 2 - Florida, Drury, Savoy SF etc. Did you each arrive in your own cars? A lesson re taking a proactive interest in a route friends' have chosen. A USGS might have added to the adventure:-).
Oh, I did look at some maps beforehand and knew that the "leaders" had no idea about a way back to the start. If it's not my hike, I just go with the flow. LOL
Fortunately, my stamina has improved a lot with all the hiking I've been doing, so I wasn't worried about finishing; it just wasn't fun on pavement.
I drove my car to the State Forest and the other three came in one car.