We could have gotten by without snowshoes, but you'll need them with the expected fresh snow. We both use the MSR Lightning Ascent, which is intended for climbing, not just strolling along a path with your honey.
I have never used MICROspikes or any of the other crampon substitutes on the market. These products are probably fine when used for their intended purpose, but they are not suitable for mountaineering on steep terrain. You'll need fairly heavy mountaineering boots and real crampons above Trail Camp.
I would bring an axe, but plan on using ski poles almost all the time.
Once a decent amount of snow has fallen, the best way up is the slope/bowl/chute directly below Trail Crest. Avoid the switchbacks. Carine's photo #16 shows the slope. You can just barely see Jason about 40% of the way up. He's in the shadow, near the rock on the left side of the snow slope.
I brought three quarts of water and gave about a pint to Jason on the summit because he had run out. The 2.5 quarts that I drank was almost all I needed. I think Carine drank about the same and probably could have used a little more. We used insulated water bottle carriers and I wrapped a 2-quart hydration bag in foam and carried it inside my pack. We don't drink from hydration tubes in cold weather. Starting out with warm/hot water helps keep it warm enough to drink.
You're going to have considerably colder weather than Carine and I had. You're also going to have more fresh snow and less of a boot track to follow. Your trip will be more difficult than ours was. You might want to just hike up to Trail Camp or the base of the slope below Trail Crest. If you did that, you could leave the crampons and axe at home, and just bring MICROspikes.
Good luck. Be safe. Have fun.
