Thanks for all the input. You really dissected my post. It's funny you should mention the Norco because the Sasquatch and Manik were actually the first bikes that came to mind when I started looking, but someone had said that because the seat post on the Sasquatch was angled back a bit more, it wouldn't be great for a bike you plan to pedal a lot.

As for my skill level, this will be my first official mountain biking season. I know my budget is probably a little over the top for a beginner, but I don't want to have to change bikes too soon once I get a bit better. I currently have a hardtail that I take through the woods back home all the time, but it's not worth more than $250, and I've never ridden public mountain biking trails.