Day Trip
Trip to Quemado, Pie Town is no burn

Looking into the basin where Zuni Salt Lake is located between Fence Lake and Quemado. [Independent Photo]

Independent Staff

GALLUP — A daylong escape from the city life of Gallup can be found about 100 miles south of town in the tiny community of Quemado, N.M.

The town of fewer than 300 residents on U.S. 60 between Pie Town and Springerville, Ariz., boasts three cafes, a couple of motels, a general store and a ton of charm.

Founded in the 1880s, the name Quemado (Spanish for "burned") may have come from some of the area's first settlers, the Antonio Padilla family. When the Padillas moved to the area from Belen, they found the vegetation on the banks of the stream where they built their farm had been scorched by Indians, so they named the stream Rito Quemado.

The main attractions in Quemado aside from the home-style cooking offered in its restaurants and the small-town hospitality offered by its inhabitants is a picturesque Catholic church and cemetery at the intersection of U.S. 60 and N.M. 36.

Also notable is a massive tree of antlers near the church and cemetery. Primarily ranching country, Catron County, where Quemado is located, boasts more elk and deer than human inhabitants.

Some of that wildlife can be seen by traveling some 14 miles south of Quemado on N.M. 32 to Quemado Lake, which offers fishing, camping and hiking.

Another nearby attraction about 21 miles east of Quemado on U.S. 60 is Pie Town, which, as you've probably guessed, is famous for its pies. Originally called Norman's Place, this town of some 55 people, earned its name in the 1920s when Clyde Norman, owner of the town's gas station and cafe, began selling pies to travelers on U.S. 60, according to writer Anne Sullivan.

With side trips or loop trips to Pie Town or Zuni Salt Lake, a trip to Quemado offers a full day of sight seeing and outdoor activities for just a couple of bucks in gas.

To get to Quemado from Gallup, go south on N.M. 602 about 29 miles to the intersection with N.M. 53. From there, go east about a half mile to the intersection with N.M. 36 and turn south. Follow N.M. 36 about 72 miles to the intersection with U.S. 60 and you're there.

Note: When you reach the community of Fence Lake between S.R. 53 and U.S. 60, you have the option of either turning left at the stop sign and following the paved road (N.M. 36) south or going straight at the stop sign and following the dirt road (N.M. 601) south to U.S. 60 through Zuni Salt Lake.