IMO rather than look at hybrids, maybe consider a gravel grinder. It isn't that the 7.3 is a bad bike but for what you are trying to do, a gravel bike seems ideal.

Moreover, for what you are looking to do, an old steel hybrid with fat tires and 36 spoke wheels seems better suited for your terrain than a new or newish aluminum Trek 7.3, with aluminum fork. A little heavier, for sure, but not by much, and more comfortable and with the fat tires, better suited for dirt roads and trails. A person looking for a new bike that can transition from dirt, to gravel to roads might look at a dual sport bike like the Giant Roam or Trek DS series, but if I already had an older steel hybrid with 35 to 40 mm tires, I would just stick that.