Welcome Bob!
I think your start time sounds ok.
I don't think you need the crampons anymore. Check the
last post in the Current Conditions thread -- Rob H reported, "Unless you are planning to glissade down all you need are trekking poles."
They even had an 85 y.o. make it to Trail Crest!
As for acclimation, the best thing to do is spend two nights camping up at Horseshoe Meadows (or maybe one night there and the second at the Portal for that early start). HM is at 10,000' elevation, and will give you a great acclimatization start.
