South Carolina's most mountainous region, the southern tip of the Blue Ridge, sweeps across the northwest extremes of the state. Sightseers looking for the beauty among these foothills end up following the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway, a 130 mile route through the Upcountry region. Woodland trails, scores of waterfalls, a half dozen state parks, campgrounds, and natural areas line the byway.
One of the popular roadside attractions is found at the Wildcat Wayside State Park. This small park, just 86 acres, takes in 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. 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. This entire area is filled with scenic wonders, enough to keep Foothills visitors busy for days.