Will be in Xi'an on 17 Oct to 23 Oct. What's the easiest and shortest route up the mountain?

1) What's the best time of the week to visit Huashan? weekend or weekdays? I prefer less crowd.
2) how much time do I need to travel from foot to peak? if using the cable car. I want to see most of the attraction at the top, if possible.
3) suggestion, what time to start at the foot and what time to leave the peak, with sufficient time to take the bus/coach/train back to xian.
3) there is more than 1 cable car station at the foot, which one should I take, for the shortest, easiest climb at the top, without compromising the attractions/sceneries along the way up/down the mountain.

wawa, Spore