I haven't gone up in the winter. Probably open.

Yes, it is closed for mud but people still hike up it with proper boots.

I do not have young children. I would got with the Boston, MA, reply. The trail has been updated with a lot of steps. I imagine smaller legs will need more time. No need for speed hiking. Always Bring water, snacks and bring your trash home. Have fun.

I am not really sure of the exact distance, but I would be inclined to agree with the folks who say it is less than two miles round trip. I did my last hike when I was in my mid sixties, and it was no problem at all.

One way. It took us seniors about an hour or so up and a bit less coming back down, but e were not booking it like some of the younger folks who passed us along the way.

It should be a great hike for older dogs. Warning that it gets VERY crowded on summer weekends. I don't know about public beaches on the Holderness/Ashland side; Sandwich beaches are posted for residents/guests & closed to dogs. But many of the lovely rivers & streams on all the hiking trails make for lovely foot-cooling for people & dogs both.

When you climb up, there are two forks so to speak, on route, to the left is the best view, that's where my profile picture was taken, the right hand turn is, lets say a step up, and then you can sit on the granite and enjoy the view which is the beautiful lake and pine forest.

See answer to question below - that might help.

First, there are two Rattlesnakes; East Rattlesnake and West Rattlesnake. The best view of Squam and beyond is from West Rattlesnake. As far as I know there is no view from East Rattlesnake, but I have never been up myself. Tahe 113 from Holderness toward Sandwich. Follow the road for several miles and eventually you will see the Rattlesnakes trailhead on your right. Relative to the direction you were heading on the highway (east-ish), you want to hike to the right (south). There is another trailhead very near the West Rattlesnake trailhead. That trail goes south to East Rattlesnake and is also known as the Col Trail (as I recall) - it goes up over the ridge between the two Rattlesnakes. Both Rattlesnake summit trails can be accessed from the Col Trail. Apparently, there is another Rattlesname Mountain fairly close, but on the other side (east) of I-93. Not the same Rattlesnake Mountain, but I hear there is a good view from there as well.