The Emerald Mile
✓ Product data checked October 23, 2026
The Emerald Mile recounts the spring of 1983, when massive flooding on the Colorado River pushed engineers at the Glen Canyon Dam into an emergency that could have ended in catastrophe. In the middle of it, Kenton Grua launched a small wooden dory named The Emerald Mile just below the dam, using the flood to chase the all-time speed record through the Grand Canyon. The boat itself had once been slated for destruction. This nonfiction adventure suits anyone who rafts, hikes the canyon or loves true survival stories.
Why it makes a good gift
Best for : An outdoor lover who rafts, hikes or has visited the Grand Canyon
Best occasion : Birthdays, Father's Day or before a canyon trip
Why it works : It combines a record attempt, a dam on the edge of failure and a restored wooden boat, so it holds readers who do not usually pick nonfiction. It makes a natural pairing with a trip to the Southwest.
Avoid if : The recipient has no interest in outdoor or adventure stories.
For
Him, Retirement
Budget
$ — Budget-friendly
Frequently asked questions
Is it a true story?
Yes, it is nonfiction about a 1983 speed run through the Grand Canyon.
Who is at the center of it?
Kenton Grua, who rowed the dory named The Emerald Mile.
Is it for rafters only?
No, it also tells the story of the Glen Canyon Dam emergency during the flood.
How many pages?
The Amazon listing does not specify.
