Mt Whitney Zone Forums Trip Reports Summit 6/26- day trip

Hi oeon, Thank you for your picture and maps, I have four questions.
1. I'm wondering what time you glissade down from chute, I heard it probably will be icy in the afternoon, do you think 2:00-3:00 pm is still okay to glissade down from chute this Saturday?
2. Our group have crampons and ice axes, but I'm wondering where is the snow line right now? Do we only need to put crampon on when start to hike up the chute?
3. You also suggest to have water shoe on until mirror lake, so do that mean there are a lot of water on trail for the first 4 mile trail till mirror lake?
4. You post your alternate trail from trail side meadow to trail camp, which is a little off the main trail. I'm wondering is this a common practice at this time or this alternate trail is easy to be tracked?

I'm sorry to ask so many questions. I really appreciate for your help. Thanks