I have the 700x35 Pasela Tourguards on my Cross-check, a bike similar to the Tricross. I like them a lot so far. I also have a set of Ritchey ZED Comp knobby cyclocross tires in 700x42 that I use for off-road stuff. They are great.

I would get the Tourguard. I used the Pasela's on the same trails I now use the Ritchey's on. No flats with the TG Pasela's, while I got two slow leaks from cactus thorns on the Ritchey's that have no built-in protection. Good luck. The Tri-cross is a nice bike, almost bought one, but went with the Surly in the end.