There is always Death Valley....
I don't have a recommendation on footwear because I have not climbed in October. I use a lightweight, goretex/waterproof, hiking boot for non-mountaineering hikes, and have used that footwear on all my Whitney hikes.
With or without snow, some find the footing between Trail Crest and the summit to be exhausting, as it is very rocky and uneven (I found the footing challenging the first time I hiked to the summit, and I have heard this from others, too, though this year I found it easier for some reason). Me, I think I'd get serious foot fatigue using lightweight trailrunners. Given that issue, plus the possibility of weather ... I'd be going for the hardier boots. But folks are different on this.
