East of Sanderson, the route stays on US 90. The road first follows open country along the railway, drops gradually and reaches Dryden after roughly 30 kilometres. Beyond Dryden, the stage becomes even more sparsely settled. Between Dryden, Cedar Station and the turn-off toward Pumpville, the route is mostly ranchland, fences, dry creek beds and long straight sections. Over the day it loses more than 400 metres of elevation, but it is not a simple downhill ride: short rises and exposed stretches remain part of the route. Resupply between settlements is not reliable, so this day still needs proper preparation. Before Langtry, the land sits lower and rougher, with the Rio Grande corridor not far to the south. The finish is a small US 90 and State Loop 25 settlement, known for Judge Roy Bean and the “Law West of the Pecos” history.
