When coal-mining flourished and there were 34 mines in the valley, East Coulee was a lively little town with a population of 4000. Today only some 200 still live here. The schoolhouse built in 1930 today houses a School Museum.
The return trip to Drumheller can be either along Highway 10 or roads 569 and 56.
Continue along Highway 56 to the
north initially, and then on Highway 9 eastwards towards Hanna. After some 50 km (30 mi.) the Handhills rise out of the prairie to heights approaching 185 m (607 ft); these are some of the highest points between the Rockies and the east coast.