[pct-l] Gear for late spring snow?

[Jeff Davis]

?I managed Oregon and Washington this year so it's time to do the whole 
thing.  Right now I'm worrying about gear for snow in California and would 
like to know what the list thinks after dealing with the late snow of 2010. 
More specifically:

Is an ice axe necessary?  I've got a mountaineering background and am very 
familiar with self-arrest.  I could use a trekking pole to stop on fairly 
steep slopes if they're not really icy.

Are running crampons like Kahtoola Microspikes effective or should I go with 
lightweight regular crampons (or maybe with none)?

Running shoes versus light boots for snowy sections?

Grendel