CONWAY, N.H. (AP) – The Forest Service is warning hikers in the White Mountain National Forest to be careful, after spring rains washed out many trail bridges and damaged others.

At least nine bridges are impassable and the Forest Service has posted warning signs. Rangers have not yet been able to inspect all of their trail bridges and say they expect they’ll find even more damage.

Some of the washed-out bridges were more than 80 feet long and crossed wide and deep portions of streams and rivers. The Forest Service says hikers should be prepared to turn back if they encounter difficult crossings and not to try to cross damaged bridges.

The impassable bridges include those on the following trails: Black Angel, Brookside, Caribou, Dry River, Gale River, Jewell, Rob Brook, Trestle and Wild River trails.

A list of damaged and washed-out bridges is posted on the White Mountain National Forest Web site, www.fs.fed.us/r9/white/.

Information also is available at 528-8721 or at any White Mountain National Forest visitor center.