Wagons that had fallen to the rear of the column; which by this time was stretched out in small groups over more than 50 miles; were in such sorry shape that when they reached the valley of the Rogue River, they rested there until the winter rains set in and forced them to move on.

The plight of these stragglers eventually became known to the settlers in the valley, and a pack train was sent to meet them. They met the emigrants at the North Umpqua River on November 14th and led them safely to the Willamette Valley. About a dozen emigrant families were trapped in the valley of the Umpqua River until January or February, when they were able to resume the journey with their wagons and surviving livestock.

There are a few remants of the trail visible today. One section is at Tubb Springs State Wayside, 18 miles east of Ashland on Highway 66. Wolf Creek Tavern Inn, 20 miles north of Grants Pass off Interstate 5 is right on the trail. The trail runs roughly parellel to I-5 through much of Douglas County including the route along Canyon Creek.

Try these links for more information on the history of the Applegate Trail:
Applegate Trail
End of the Oregon Trail
Applegate Trail