South Carolina's most mountainous region, the extreme southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, sweeps across the northwest corner of the state. Sightseers looking for the beauty among these foothills end up following the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway. Here on a 130 mile route through Carolina's Upcountry, Route 11 curves around the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, often called the Blue Wall. Woodland trails, scores of waterfalls, a cluster of state parks, campgrounds, and the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area line the byway.
   One of the popular roadside attractions on the byway is found at the Wildcat Wayside State Park. This small park, just 86 acres, includes Wildcat Branch Creek, one of the tributaries to the South Saluda River. Little more than a picnic area, a well worn footpath leads to two sets of falls on the Wildcat Branch. The lower falls comes in two sections, with the lower 20 foot cascade pictured here. The woodsy path to the Upper falls, for those with a little more enthusiasm for an uphill climb, extends for another quarter mile to a 130 foot cascade. Remnants of a Civilian Conservation Corps built shelter are easily found along the pathway. One of six trial wayside parks built in South Carolina during the 1920s and 30s, the park was once called the Greenville Wayside Park. Still a popular stop after 90 years, travelers will find this entire area filled with scenic wonders, enough to keep Foothills visitors busy for days.

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