Colgate Licks along the Lochsa River is a beautiful place for hiking or horseback riding. A variety of animals visit the area to access the natural mineral licks. The area is named for George Colgate. He was a cook for a hunting party in 1893, the Carlin Party.

The Carlin Party became trapped in heavy snows that prevented them from reaching the Lolo Trail on foot. They built a raft and attempted to float the river, but the frail craft fell apart in the river's wild waters forcing the group ashore to walk out. Colgate was ill and unable to walk, so was left behind. The remainder of the party was found by a search party from Walla Walla, WA.

Colgate's remains were found later and buried at the site. Some argue that he survived and improved for a time. A note was claimed to have been found in a bottle on the Snake River that was in his handwriting. Other members of the party disputed that saying he was to ill and insane when they left him.

For more details on the story see: http://www.historicsitesandantiques.com/Colgate_Licks.html or http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19179693.

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