travel and rhum

I'm 32, love hiking, but have a terrible lower back. If I make one misstep I can throw it out and it becomes almost impossible to walk. This has happened on a hike once and it's terrifying. I can do short hikes and be okay as long as I'm careful, but once I get to 8ish miles it starts to give out even if I haven't done anything to it.

Doctors and my PT treat it after it happens, but none of the preventative measures actually prevent anything. I stretch 3-4x a week and workout about the same, including working my core. I'm starting to worry that my hiking goals will never be achievable. I feel pretty raw with this realization, but I'm hoping someone out there has solutions or honestly even just empathy.

Am I stuck topping out at 10 miles?

I always hear everyone saying they bring a rain jacket but don’t your pants get soaked? Why isn’t it as common to discuss rain pants? I’m thinking of a multi-day hike and want to try and make sure I’ve thought of everything.

I have a single free day during a conference in Las Vegas in early December and would like to rent a car and go for a solid, scenic, hike. Any level of difficulty is fine (barring the need for crampons). Any suggestions appreciated! I will be getting my car around 10:00 in Las Vegas, if that matters. Sunset around 4:30. Thank you!