Tag Archives: Irish Wolf Hound

A Hike to Grouse Ridge, Land of a 100 Lakes

Jeff Toff, a local Grass Valley attorney  took a hike around Grouse Ridge with his dog Logan a few weeks ago. Logan is an Irish Wolfhound, and when Logan puts his front feet on Jeff, he’s a lot taller than Jeff. Jeff took many pictures while he was there and I’ve combined them into a video showing how beautiful Grouse Ridge really is.

A beautiful area, it has a geologic display of the 100 million year old birth of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Just a few thousand years ago, the Rigde was further sculptured by volcanoes and glaciers, leaving over 100 lakes.

Today the story reveals the gentle and slow aging of the region: lakes reverting to meadows and gradual invasion of forests. Within its heart, scattered stands of mature trees offer stark contrast to polished and sculpted granite. Flowers are abundant and beautiful against the massive display of rock.

Grouse Ridge Campground is located approximately 24 miles east of Nevada City at an elevation of 5,600 feet. This campground has 9 walk-in campsites. There is no potable water but toilets are available. There is no trash removal service. Hiking, fishing and swimming are available from this campground.

Information on hiking trails can be found at the Tahoe National Forest website. There are four hiking trails listed. Scroll down towards the bottom of the page to find the information.


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Logan, a Dog Bigger than it’s Owner

Logan The Irish Wolfhound Standing a little taller than Jeff Toff, Owner
Logan The Irish Wolfhound Standing a little taller than Jeff Toff, Owner

I’m excited, this is my first doghouse listing. (This is Angel talking, Angel is my dog)

This is Logan who was born on St. Patrick’s day!  4 years ago.  He was a champion show dog, winning every show he entered except one.  He retired from the ring and became my hiking buddy last June.  He is shy and afraid of small dogs & cats…unless they run.  He very rarely barks, even when he meets barking dogs or strange people.  He thinks he is a lap dog.  He travels back and forth to San Diego, 11 hrs, without so much as a bark, whine or cry…he just wants to go where ever Jeff goes.  He doesn’t seem fast loping around until you see him gallop like a horse.

Logan in the snow
Logan in the snow

The Irish Wolfhound was originally a war dog, used to drag men out of chariots or off horseback, but was also used as a hunting hound and as a guard. There are numerous references in Irish mythology to its prowess in all these fields. It was used to hunt the Irish elk and the wolf and was used singly or in pairs rather than in a pack, hence the need for great size. When the last of the wolves in Ireland was killed (the elk had become extinct long before), the breed dwindled and almost died out. The process was not helped by the demand for this magnificent hound around the world. It was given as a gift to kings and princes, but this was eventually stopped by Oliver Cromwell who brought out a law banning its export.

See also Cruiser Logan’s Son

Logan's home, a big house for a big dog!
Logan's home, a big house for a big dog!

This is Angel, my dog, first doghouse listing and she is excited! Have a dog? A dog house (you can make one up)? Angel would like to list your doghouse, send a picture of your dog and a doghouse, along with the square footage, how many bathrooms the doghouse has and we’ll post it on this site. Tell us what’s special about your dog and what breed it is. Angel would appreciate that. See the About Us page for details.

For all your real estate needs, call or email:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com