See the main page for a description of how to get to the trailhead for all west face routes. It starts from the private driveway mentioned on the main page.

Route Description

This route ascends the canyon marked Wadsworth Canyon seen in the topographical map below. This canyon/couloir goes straight up a dry, rocky streambed until you veer left around a large rocky ridge. Continue to climb straight up to the saddle. At this point you will turn south (to the right) and walk along the ridgeline to a smaller peak marked "9105" (feet) on the topo map. From there the summit of Dharma is visible, and is just a short ridge-walk south-southeast from there, to 9,237 feet. Two small gendarmes sit along the ridgeline. These can either be climbed over (which would probably qualify as the crux of the route by far, low 5th class climbing and a possibly necessary rappel depending on conditions), or you can skirt around them by dropping off the ridge a few feet.

Map: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=12&n=4478732&e=438664&s=50&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25

Essential Gear

Summer: Plenty of water. Sturdy boots because most of the hike is on a "boulder" field, or along the bottom of a very rocky streambed. Ten essentials. A rope, harness and other rappel gear if planning to climb over the gendarmes along the summit ridge mentioned above.

Winter: Snowshoes are recommended (I proved they weren't essential, but they would've been hugely beneficial) if there has been in a storm in the last few days. The snow at the summit will stay deep longer, but if there hasn't been a storm for a few days, there generally is only a thin coating of snow until you reach very close to the saddle.
An ice axe is recommended for balance, and crampons may be necessary late in the spring near the summit.
Ten essentials, normal winter climbing gear. Again, a rope, harness and climbing gear would be necessary to go up and over the gendarmes mentioned above, but it is easy to skirt around them to avoid technical climbing. A light rack is likely sufficient if that is your plan.