Day 7 is the pass stage. From Silver City the route first heads east out of town, past Santa Clara and into the NM 152 corridor. The opening kilometres stay on the high plateau, then the road drops toward San Lorenzo and the Mimbres Valley. From there the day tightens: fewer settlements, more forest, rock, bends and a long climb into the Black Range. The high point comes near the Emory Pass area at just under 2,500 metres. After that, the work is not finished. The descent east is winding, steep and still needs attention. Before Kingston, the route leaves the tightest terrain, the view opens, and the town appears small below the road. 76 kilometres, but with a real mountain profile and long sections where services are scarce.
