Ice covers the limestone cliffs that overlook Winona, not from a natural source but rather a system of pipes and nozzles above that form the 2nd largest ice park in the US. 100ft walls filled with 120 routes ranging from WI3-5, and only a 15 minute hike from the trailhead south of the small town. I had a blast ice climbing properly for the first time without shit gimmicky gear and got to experience the medium well. This was a fun outing hosted by the CMC right before the ice park opens for its first Ice Festival. When I had arrived the night before the outing I went to go hike in the area to check it out and was amazed by how large the entire park is. Waking up the next day from my car and heading back out, most of the CMC members were up anchor building (mostly from tree's above the cliffs) and I got to quickly get in a bunch of climbs for the day.
It was good climbing and the conditions really tested my clothing and sleep system. I really implore you to check out Winona if you're in the Chicago area as it's closer than Pictured Rocks and also provides good bolted climbing on its iconic SugarLoaf tower.