Tree Planting Crew Hears Mysterious Wood Knocking in Minnesota Forest

A tree planting crew consisting of Mac, a seasoned crew chief in his late 40s, and two college students, Clara and Miller, are working in the Chipoa Forest in Minnesota near the end of the planting season. With a fourth member, Jesse, out sick, the trio sets up a base camp and begins working their assigned grid sections. On their first day, nothing unusual occurs, and they enjoy a peaceful evening under the stars before heading out at first light the next morning. While hiking to their next planting spot, they begin hearing distinct wood knocking echoing through the forest—a sound unlike any natural noise they recognize. Though unsettled, they decide to press on and split up, with Mac heading up a ridge alone while Clara and Miller work together. During their work, Miller realizes he left his grandfather's old hatchet back at their previous spot and runs back roughly half a mile to retrieve it, leaving Clara on her own as the story continues to unfold.