I went on a decent hike, so I had to wear a knee brace. But I have to say that my knee has gotten much better. My suggestion would be to go ahead and haul that pack on these shorter hikes, but I would carry water instead of weights. That way, you can ditch the water if you feel pain in your joints so you don't bust them up like how I did. Also, use containers that you can fill to the top.
Sloshing water is bad for balance.
And it might make you wanna go pee too. Advil is supposed to help pain in joints and muscles and that sort of thing. BTW, I finally made a page for my hike up Ohulehule with Daryn, Alex, and Kurt. Aloha from Vegas.