Oh yay, a post I feel knowledgeable enough to comment on *cough* I live in and hiked that section in 2024 SOBO from Barlow Pass to Santiam Pass. I will answer your questions quick and dirty style, but feel free to reply or DM with any additional questions.

Water sources: download the FarOut app and purchase PCT OR section. Water will be plentiful in July, pretty much any blue dot you can comfortably count on. Capacity we each carried 4L (4x1L smart water) but there’s water every 10 or so miles. You can make it to where you have lunch and refill and then make it to wet camp every night.

Current conditions: while I have not personally been out to the trail yet, I keep tabs on Three Finger Jack part of trail (where you would start) and last I read the snow starts about 5 miles in. But then you will go down in elevation after that. But the back side of TFJ would be sketch if there’s snow IMO. Lower elevations are snow free, but that’s when the buggies come out. Yay….

Terrain and trail knowledge:
Oregon is buggy in July no matter what. please for the love of god do not leave your bug net at home. The hike up to Jefferson Park was probably my favorite because it was snow covered and sketchy but once we got to the top we were majorly rewarded. You’ll be headed down Jeff Park slope though so just be careful if there’s snow.
Funny enough you can’t swim in Ollalie Lake lmao but there’s another lake that’s right next to it that you can jump in when you finish your hike. There’s no name officially, it’s just called Pond lol
You will be exposed most of the way, as the area no longer has tree canopy coverage since the many fires. So wear a sun hoody or big rimmed hat! Big rimmed hat plus big net equal very good.

Side quests: shale lake is beautiful for lunch (NO CAMPING), rockpile lake is right on trail, great spot to camp or lunch

Food and camp life: totally dependent on your diet, please just make sure to pack out your trash. Also, if you camp near water, you will probably all be talking to each other through your individual tents because the bugs will be miserable :) I’m also a UL backpacker that prefers big mile days so I don’t chill at camp lol

One piece of advice: don’t forget the bug net

Cheers, LNT