OverviewDharma Peak is one of the "foothills" that overlook Highland and Alpine, Utah. It is the first peak to the north of American Fork Canyon and sits to the west of Box Elder peak when viewed from Utah County.
According to locals at the mountaineering shops, it is nameless. And no one could point to any information in any guidebook about it. No one I know has ever climbed it, including the locals at the climbing shops, although I'm sure someone at some point has taken a hike to the top. Information about other routes (particularly the south and east faces is minimal, although there may be easier routes from one of those directions (as well as some interesting long trad routes, since the south face is the north side of American Fork Canyon, a popular sport climbing paradise.
The easiest route that I know of would essentially be a very steep walk-up route going up a couloir to the saddle north of the summit. This route would consist of boulder-hopping a bit, but no real scrambling at all. In winter it is a bit harder.
Getting ThereThe trailhead for all known routes on the west face are reached from a private driveway on the east side of Alpine.
Take I-15 to Exit 284 Alpine/Highland, State Road 92. Drive east on SR-92 (Highland Highway) toward American Fork Canyon, until you reach a stoplight at approximately 5300 West (it will also be called the Alpine Highway). Take a left. Drive north until you reach 100 South in Alpine, where you turn right. When this road dead-ends take a right. Then take your next left. This is a private driveway which dead-ends at a large gated house. Park a ways back from the house (out of courtesy) and walk around the north side of the house. There is a canal and a streambed that runs up toward the mountain eventually. Follow the rocky streambed for all routes on the west face.
Other routes may start from areas in American Fork Canyon.
Red TapeIf hiking from American Fork Canyon, there is a $3.00 user fee. Otherwise no fees or permits are required.
The people whose house sits at the end of the private drive didn't give me any trouble when I parked there, but if you're planning on being their overnight or bringing a large group, I would park further away, just out of courtesy to the homeowners.
When To ClimbSeveral walk-up routes are available in summer, up any of the canyons/couloirs along the west face. In the winter these routes become more strenuous but are still possible in half of a day for a moderately fit hiker. In the snow some scrambling may be required, but nothing major at all. The avalanche danger in the couloirs on the west face is very low. Generally there is not even snow in them, except after a storm because of the low altitude and west-facing slope. However, after a large storm you might be advised to avoid this mountain. Even then the avalanche danger is considerably lower than on nearby peaks like Box Elder and Mount Timpanogos because of it's relative lack of snow.
There are a few more technical routes that would be easier in the summer, but could also be done in the winter.
CampingThere is plenty of camping available in American Fork Canyon, for the same $3.00 entry fee required for anyone using the canyon. There is no known camping in the towns of Alpine or Highland (no KOA or other campgrounds). Camping on the west face may or may not be allowed. The peak is part of the Lone Peak Wilderness Area.
Miscellaneous InfoThe vertical rise from trailhead to summit is approximately 4,000 feet even. It is almost exclusively uphill, with the exception of a possible traverse across the summit ridge for peakbagging purposes.
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