If you want to stick with Cannondale, I think the Trail 7 is fine. I don't see a lot of value in the Trail 5 or 6, since they have the same fork and wheels, and same heavy square-taper cranks.

And then you're looking at $980 for the Trail 4. Bah.


So, yes, I'd suggest the Trail 7 as a basic MTB and you can do all that stuff you mentioned, no problem.