On the day of arrival we went to the Panther Junction Ranger station to get our back country permits and fill our water jug for a later cache. Steve and Vaugn were to meet us at the Basin later that day. We made the drive from Austin in about 6 1/2 hours. After a short drive over to the Homer Wilson ranch we left a five(5) gallon container of water for later retrieval. We then drove up to the Basin area and secured a camp site for the night. Steve and Vaugn had not shown up so Pat, Paul and I went up to the restaurant for dinner. After dinner we returned to the camp site to see if Steve and Vaugn had shown. A couple of the local residence (javelina) made a appearance for our entertainment. While waiting-relaxing we deceived to make a short trek over to the Window. Just as we were leaving Steve and Vaugn arrived and we made the trek together. The Window is a large rock canyon cutting through the Chisos Mountains rim that allows drainage from the Basin. The trail a short 2.6 mile round trip and passes through scattered oaks, pines, and junipers. The peaks on the left Ward Mountain and Carter Peak on the right are rhyolite intrusions. Opposite the Window are lava flows and ash beds. After about a mile the trail passes Oak creek, it and its tributaries funnel the drainage waters through the Window. The Window is the only outlet in the Basin. The weather this night was expected to dip into the high twenties. We returned to camp and set up camp and a early night before leaving for the trail.