Thank you for this. I have seen your pleas on Facebook for help finding him. I wish very much I was back there to help you more thoroughly.
With regards to Bakersfield, he and H had tried driving out there a week or two before he disappeared, got lost, and drove around for hours deciding it was an adventure (according to Facebook) I noticed his car was found on a straight shot up there and thought he may have tried to remake that trip for whatever reason they were going there before. Knowing about the ranch comment now puts you in a different direction and that definitely needs to be looked into.
I'm concerned, as I'm sure you are, that he is a recovering addict that had experienced a recent relapse with history of suicidal tendencies based on what you've shared. If there was a break up as well, I think getting a few cadaver dogs through a few miles radius around the car needs to happen if it hasn't already. He deserves to be found no matter what his struggles were.