Okay, I'm new to mountain bikes, but not new to bikes. BMX Dirt 8+ years ago, so it's been awhile. So I did what you suggested as far as going down to my LBS and getting on some new bikes. The guys down there are cool but I can't seem to get a real good answer out of them. Here's the deal I am going to commute on the bike. I will be riding down stairs, small concrete drop offs 12" to 24" high. As far as mountain riding. I will be going up and down the mountain. I need an all around decent bike. My LBS carries only Specialized stuff (which is fine from what I've read), and it's the only one for a hundred miles.
Any suggestions for a bike that could take that kind of punishment.... or am I misjudging what the hardrocks and rockhoppers can take?