I just got this, I have not had a chance to take it out yet. I swapped the wheels for some stans wheels. It is the fastest bike I have ever ridden.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/aedf5049.jpg
Here is me on last years 29er on the dr J trail:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...apture-1-2.jpg
You can do anything you want on any bike. With that said 2002wranglerx has some good points. Some 26" wheel bikes have better geometry for aggressive riding. Although if you were to compare apples to apples you will find the 26" wheels bikes are more sketchy. The Paragon he had is a XC race hardtail, ride a 26" wheel XC race hardtail and it will feel even twitchier. The bike I ride (Specialized Epic 29er) is XC oriented but not quite as twitchy as a hardtail 29er. The Stumpjumper FSR 29er or Camber would be a little better for rough trail riding. Most of the areas you listed have fast flowy trails and the Epic would be a great bike for there. If you listed Moraine or the Laural Highlands as the places you ride a lot, I would have said get a bigger travel bike.
As far as the Giant goes, I have had a couple Giant full suspension bikes and the FSR rear suspension is a much better design.