Two things: Ice axe is premature at this point. People need the ice axe if they skip the switchbacks and to up the slope to the west of them, which is not a good idea yet, since there isn't enough snow to prevent postholing all over. If you stay ON the trail, you won't be postholing. Also, the point about having snow baskets on your hiking poles is very good.
Water purification is a personal preference. The official stance is you should. But I, and many others, just dip and drink, and have for the past ten years with no problems. But I would get my water at the IN-let to the pond at Trail Camp, not the pond itself. To do that, you need to walk off the trail 30-50 yards. (I dip and drink from the several streams along the trail, too.)
