1 & 2) Probably not. I was up there November 4 of 2010 which was a really good year for snow, and it didn't really do anything. Snow is too soft for the crampons to do any good. Microspikes will help when the trail is icy. 3) Most likely. 3) I wish.
Could you elaborate about the snow being too soft to need crampons. Keep in mind I have never used Microspikes but use my crampons often. Having said that I would love to not carry the crampoms and digress to your experience.
