Then you might not have liked it at all ... depending on what you mean by ' many extraneous social trappings' (and you see that as 'degradation? ), as part of the 'work' of the Order was a social experiment. Even some degrees have a part focus on social arrangements. * The group structure is a form of social government, etc. It is a fraternity after all, and a fraternity is a social network.
Even in an organised group there can be a large degree of 'solitary' , especially in regards to one's own individual gnosis (unless one wants to be a programmable member ... but I cant see that being a path to development). I think there becomes a stage, in any system, where one needs to focus on 'the hermit'.
However a group can be a lot of fun ... yeeeaaars back I was member of a coven... it was hilarious! Once the coven came here to visit, they hired a bus and were all coming together. We were waiting for them ... this mini bus came down the driveway full of black clad, pentagram wearing, people peering out the windows ... hilarious. Had 9 people sleeping on the floor of the cabin. Crazy fun times .... wouldnt want to do it now though.
I went to a 4 day retreat ( as the caterer) once, organised by a GD group head.
But I guess I am a strange one, I like both at the same time. When we had festivals here, I would do things like organise the large outdoor ritual circle, and I put on a spring equinox rite that about 300 attended. But every so often I would have to run away and spend hours by myself in my own space.
The OTO had about 4 retreats here too. Ahhh ... those were the days!
.... now I am a Hermit .... ahhh these are the days!
* "The members of the Fifth Degree are responsible for all that concerns the Social welfare of the Order. This grade is symbolically that of beauty and harmony; it is the natural stopping-place of the majority of men and women; for to proceed farther, as will appear, involves renunciation of the sternest kind. Here then is all joy, peace, well-being on all planes; the Sovereign Prince Rose Croix is attached equally to the higher and the lower, and forms a natural link between them. Yet let him look to it that his eyes are set on high!"
also , when one is in such a 'fraternal order', ' Hermetic solitude' is still required;
" 14. They must each live in solitude, without more than the necessary speech even to casual neighbours, serving themselves in all respects, for three months continuously, once at least in every two years."
Liber CXCIV.